If you are anything like me on Saturday you were very disappointed to see the great ‘Kauto Star’ well beaten in third place in his brave attempt to win a 5th King George VI. After about a mile and a half I suspected he was not going to win as the 11 year old did not look to be going as easy as he so often has in the past.

Despite the champion jockey being on board it made no difference and I doubt that even Kauto’s regular rider the injured Ruby Walsh could have done any better on this occasion.

‘Kauto Star’ has had many hard races in his career and when this amazing horse was at his best he could blow away any horse and he really has beaten some brilliant highly rated rivals along the way. But maybe this was just one race too far for him and while I would really love to eat my words and see him win the Gold Cup one more time, I think it will be time for ‘Kauto Star’ to hand over his relatively long reign at the top over to another.

As I said I hope I am wrong and the ‘King Kauto’ will reign once or twice more before he is takes up his extremely well earned retirement. Here’s to seeing the great one again if you are up to it Kauto.