Paul Nicholls says Kauto Stone will only line up in Saturday’s Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown if conditions change.
The half-brother to dual Tingle Creek winner Kauto Star made a fine debut for the champion trainer at at the start of last month.
But Nicholls has warned punters that unless the rain arrives at Sandown, where conditions are currently described as good, Kauto Stone will not be taking his chance.
“I’ve left him in as I’ve seen two very different weather forecasts,” said Nicholls, who has booked Sam Thomas for the ride.
“One says there could be a lot of rain, the other says there could be hardly any, so we’ll just have to see.
“It was a 48-hour declaration race so we decided to declare him and then we could see what happens with the weather.
“If there isn’t enough rain for him, he won’t run.”
Kauto Stone has the alternative of staying over two and a half miles (4000m) in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on Sunday week.
Nicholls will still be represented by Tataniano, an impressive comeback winner at Chepstow and the mount of Ruby Walsh.
The champion trainer is bidding for his sixth consecutive Tingle Creek triumph with Tataniano considered the main danger to favourite Sizing Europe.
PA AAP TURF
