A Proper Test of Staying Power
Right, settle in with your pint because we've got ourselves a belter here at Newcastle on Wednesday afternoon. The Kauto The King Handicap might not carry the prestige of its Kempton namesake, but don't let that fool you – this £25,000 prize has assembled a field that'll take some sorting out over two and a half miles of proper stamina-sapping territory.
Named after the great Kauto Star himself, this Class 2 affair has become something of a stepping stone for the better staying chasers, and with the going described as good to soft, good in places after some timely verti-draining, we're set up for a right royal battle. Seven runners have stood their ground, and by God, there's not a no-hoper among them.
The Market Leaders Under the Microscope
Etalon heads the weights with 12-0 to shoulder, and you'd be mad not to respect anything that Harry Skelton climbs aboard for the Dan Skelton yard. This nine-year-old gelding carries a rating of 144 for good reason – he's been knocking on the door at this level all season. The tongue tie goes back on, which often signals intent from the Skelton team, and this trip should be right up his street. The worry? That bloody great lump of weight on his back in what looks a competitive renewal.
Hercule du Seuil gets the services of Harry Cobden, and Neil Mulholland's charge looks the most obvious danger to the favourite. At 142, he's only 4lb behind Etalon on the ratings but gets a handy 2lb pull in the weights. This fellow has been running some cracking races in defeat lately, and the good to soft ground should suit his style down to the ground. He's the type that could improve again for this step up in trip.
Light N Strike brings course and distance form to the table, which is never to be sniffed at around this track. James Bowen knows this ten-year-old inside out, and Mickey Bowen's stable are in decent nick. The lack of headgear suggests confidence, and at 135, he's feasibly weighted if reproducing his best form. The age profile might be against him, but these staying chasers can go on forever when they're in the right hands.
The Nicholls Factor and Dark Horses
Centara represents the Paul Nicholls battalion, with Freddie Gingell doing the steering. Another course winner, this eight-year-old has been running consistently without quite getting his head in front recently. The master of Ditcheat doesn't send them this far north for the good of their health, and at 11-5, he's got to have a serious chance if the stable fancy their chances.
Western General for Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell is another with course form in the book. The Tizzard team have been flying recently, and this fellow has been running some decent races in defeat. At 11-3, he's nicely weighted to get involved if the pace falls right for his patient style of racing.
Don't sleep on Ventura Highway either – the six-year-old represents the youngest in the field and could be still on the upgrade. The Moore team know how to place their horses, and at 10-13, he's getting plenty of weight from the principals.
Going and Tactical Considerations
The good to soft, good in places going should suit most of this field, though it might just favour the more patient, staying types over the speed merchants. The verti-draining since the last meeting suggests they've freshened up the surface nicely, which should provide decent jumping ground without being too testing.
Tactically, this looks like it could develop into a proper staying test. With no obvious front-runner in the field, expect a steady gallop early before it heats up from three out. The key will be getting a clear run when it matters – Newcastle can be a tricky track for getting boxed in if you're not handy turning for home.
Who will win the Kauto The King Handicap?
While Etalon deserves respect at the top of the weights, I'm not convinced he's well enough handicapped to give weight away to this quality of opposition. The value call has to be Hercule du Seuil each-way. Neil Mulholland's charge has been running some cracking races in defeat, and with Harry Cobden aboard, he looks the type to appreciate this step up in trip. The weight pull he gets from Etalon could prove crucial, and at what should be decent odds, he represents the best value in the race.
What are the best conditions for this race?
The current good to soft, good in places going should play perfectly into the hands of the true stayers in this field. The verti-draining will have ensured decent jumping conditions without making it a slog, which should allow the better horses to show their class. This ground description typically produces the most honest results in staying chases.
Which jockeys have the best chance in the Kauto The King Handicap?
You can't look past the Harry double-act of Skelton and Cobden at the head of the market, both riding for in-form yards with realistic chances. James Bowen on Light N Strike brings valuable course knowledge, while Freddie Gingell for Nicholls always commands respect. The experience factor could prove crucial in what promises to be a tactical affair that will likely be won by the shrewdest ride rather than raw ability alone.
Verdict: Back Hercule du Seuil each-way at the prices – he's got the form, the jockey, and crucially, the weight to get the better of a competitive field. Check the full Newcastle racecard for updated odds and final declarations.
