Connections of Kauto Star will take their time before making a final decision whether to retire the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner after he was pulled up in the big race on Friday.
The 12-year-old has certainly finished for the season but he appeared in good form when paraded at Paul Nicholls’ stable along with Rock On Ruby and Big Buck’s on Saturday afternoon.
“The three horses paraded at Ditcheat and it all went very well,” Kauto Star’s owner, Clive Smith said.
“Kauto looked very fresh and he just looked as though he hadn’t done anything.
“We’re just going to put him out to grass as we would have done whatever decision had been made. We’re not going to rush into anything.
“He’s going to be kept fit and we’ll see what happens.
“We’re just going to see how he is – he’ll let us know.”
Kauto Star took his place in Friday’s line-up after appearing to have recovered from a schooling fall a few weeks earlier.
However, he was pulled up after nine fences as Ruby Walsh was not happy with him.
“Of course he hadn’t raced very far, but he’d obviously had this injury a little while ago and just pulled a muscle after stretching over the water jump and was feeling uncomfortable,” Smith said.
“Ruby felt it wise to pull him up.”
