Kauto Star’s participation in Friday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup moved another step closer after Paul Nicholls reported the legendary chaser to be 100 per cent sound.
The 12-year-old was described as “50-50” for the Festival showpiece last week after it emerged he had suffered a schooling fall at Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard.
Kauto Star has since made massive strides in his race to be fit for the blue riband and after delighting Nicholls in a gallop at Wincanton on Friday, the handler believes he is back on form.
“We’re very happy. It was just what we wanted. He went nicely and was full of enthusiasm,” Nicholls told Channel 4.
“He came back last night and was straight into his grub. He ate up this morning and there’s not a bother on him.
“He’s 100 per cent sound this morning so we’re very happy.”
While the dual Gold Cup winner appears to be back on track for the race, Nicholls will school him on Monday before committing to a run.
Kauto Star looked very fresh and well before his racecourse spin and Nicholls admits his improvement over the last seven days has been startling.
“The improvement from one Friday to the following was just absolutely unbelievable and we’ve still got a week to go. We’re very happy with him and he’s in great form now,” he said.
“You would be disappointed if he couldn’t get there. We’ve still got five or six days to go yet, but we’re more confident now.
“It would be fantastic if he could get there.
“We only want to run him not to make the numbers up, but to be competitive and have a big chance.”
David Pipe is also due to decide on Monday whether he will pitch unbeaten novice Grands Crus into the Gold Cup.
The seven-year-old has won each of his three starts this term, his most recent an impressive victory in the Grade One Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas.
However, Grands Crus is also entered in the RSA Chase and Pipe will consult with owners Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds before selecting a target.
“We will make a decision on Monday. We will see how Kauto is. Obviously he looked in fantastic form yesterday at Wincanton,” Pipe said.
“It looks like he will be going for the Gold Cup which is great for racing, but maybe not so good for us.”
Kauto Star and Grands Crus feature among 19 left in the Gold Cup field at the five-day stage along with last year’s winner Long Run who is trained by Nicky Henderson.
Cheltenham Gold Cup: William Hill bet: 6-4 Long Run, 7-2 Kauto Star, 6-1 Grands Crus, 7-1 Burton Port, 12-1 Midnight Chase, Synchronised, Weird Al, 16-1 Quel Esprit, 20-1 Captain Chris, 25-1 upwards others.
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