Gold failure a mystery

Francois Doumen left Kempton Park today, after two days which by his own lofty standards, he will not want to remember.

Despite seeing Barito win the opening novice hurdle at the Pertemps Christmas Festival, the remainder of his runners at the two-day meeting failed to improve his fantastic record at the track.

The trainer`s most notable disappointment came when First Gold trailed home in fourth place when bidding to repeat his 2000 success in the King George VI Chase.

'There is no problem with First Gold and there is nothing to discover - as I have said, I think he is just taking longer to reach his fitness,' Doumen said.

'I have to have double thoughts as to why he ran like that,' he admitted.

'I want to go back home and have a good look at him and have a think about it.

'There are no plans, he is fine and we have plenty of time.'

Nicky Henderson gave an upbeat report concerning Bacchanal, who finished one place ahead of First Gold, and now goes for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup.

'They did a hell of a time really and I think three miles on fastish ground on a track like Kempton was probably a bit too much,' Henderson said.

'I thought he ran a hell of a race. He`s fine this morning and things are looking good for later in the season.'