Kauto Star was a shadow of his former self in the featured €160,000 Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown today pulling up behind 20/1 winner Follow The Plan which provided jockey Tom Doyle with a career highlight.

Below-par Kauto Star dropped behind from five out and was pulled up before the next fence as the race took shape at the business end. Roberto Goldback led into the straight as Follow The Plan, which secured a nice run on the inner after three out, gave chase. At the final fence Roberto Goldback held a length lead on his closing rival but blundered his rider Robbie Power out of the saddle, leaving Follow The Plan to coast home ahead of Vic Venturi

Winning trainer Oliver McKiernan subsequently stated “Follow The Plan was suited by the fast gallop today as he failed to settle early at Aintree on his latest run. We were hoping he wouldn’t be out of his depth today and he’s finished for the season now.”

“He’s had some leg trouble in the past and hopefully he, and we, will be alright in the morning!”

The win was a career highlight for Tom Doyle and the rider, who earned glowing praise with a treble at Limerick on Monday, later mentioned “I thought my horse was staying on and in with a chance of catching Roberta Goldback at the final fence but to say ‘I definitely would have won’ would be a lie!”

Dual Cheltenham Gold Cup Kauto Star received a warm applause as he passed the stands after the race and his trainer Paul Nicholls later reported “we were in unknown territory running him in May and he’ll have a summer’s grass now and future plans centre around how he summers. He may have one more run in the autumn before being retired.”

Jockey Ruby Walsh also reported “Kauto never jumped better than he did today but never travelled.”

Thomas Weekes