Kauto still the star - Honours to champion in Roan defeat

The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was beaten a length and a half by Monet's Garden in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree yesterday but, ultimately, it was only the concession of a stone to a Grade One course-anddistance winner that stopped the champion's relentless march.

Weighty issue: Monet's Garden holds off Kauto Star

A sinew stretching leap at the second last by Ruby Walsh's mount for a moment even suggested that victory might be possible but Tony Dobbin, riding the winner, had too much in reserve.

Such a scenario had looked unlikely as the four-runner field headed out for the second circuit, with a sluggish looking Kauto Star receiving a reminder from a concerned Walsh.

It even looked as if the gelding could fade tamely away but he gradually worked his way into contention. When front-running Ashley Brook fell four out and with Gold Cup runner-up Exotic Dancer struggling to stay in contention, it boiled down to a duel between Paul Nicholls' stable star and Nicky Richards' exciting grey.

Twelve months ago at the start of a campaign which saw Kauto Star win six from six, the debate concerned whether the chaser had the stamina for a Gold Cup after he strolled to a 21-length victory in this race.

Now his trainer thinks staying is his strong suit and a repeat shot at the two-mile Tingle Creek Chase has been ruled out.

Nicholls said: "My view now is that he wants a trip. He's a stayer and has run his best races over three miles plus. Two-and-a-half miles around here is sharp enough for him.

"The other horse is a specialist two-and-a-half miler and was the one to beat. At the weights he has run a blinding race. He has jumped well and stayed well. We've got a month to Haydock and that is our target. Bar a win we couldn't be happier."

That return to the north west will see the start of Kauto Star's challenge for the Betfair Chase and the first leg of the £1million bonus that he won last year for adding the King George VI Chase at Kempton and Gold Cup, for which he remains 7-4 favourite with Ladbrokes.

Reopposing him there will be Exotic Dancer but it could be that the most potent challenge Kauto Star faces this season comes from within his own stable through Hennessy Gold Cup possible Denman and Star de Mohaison. The latter, who is recuperating from injury, may return in a 2m 5f chase at Leicester in the week after Christmas.

Monet's Garden has different options with Richards to choose between the Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon or Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown.

A return to Aintree rather than Cheltenham is his likely spring objective.

Katchit is 5-1 for the Champion Hurdle after winning the Bonusprint. com Hurdle.

IBN Khaldun's RacingPost Trophy win at Doncaster on Saturday means Sheik Mohammed owns or has a stake in the first five in the betting for next year's 2,000 Guineas. The quintet is made up of Rio De La Plata, Fast Company, New Approach, the 2-1 favourite in whom the Sheik has a half share, and Raven's Pass, who he also acquired an interest in.