Kauto Star is reported to be in tremendous shape ahead of his bid for a third Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup success next month.
The only horse ever to regain the crown after adding success in 2009 to his first two years earlier, Clive Smith's gelding has been in irresistible form this term, defeating 2011 hero Long Run in both the Betfair Chase and King George VI Chase.
Kauto Star has been unaffected by the recent coughing outbreak among some horses at trainer Paul Nicholls' stables, and delighted connections in his latest workout.
"He's in good form," said Nicholls. What a crock of sh1t
Kauto Star is rated just 50-50 to run in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after a schooling fall under Ruby Walsh at the end of last week.
Paul Nicholls had hoped he would brush the fall off but wanted to see more improvement by now and has had to declare his stable star's participation for the March 16 contest in doubt.
Regular work rider Clifford Baker suggested to Nicholls that Kauto Star was 50-50 to make the festival and owner Clive Smith agreed with the trainer to let the public know on Thursday.
Nicholls said in his column at www.betfair.com/paulnicholls: "There is no easy way to say this, but Kauto Star is only 50-50 to make the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a fall schooling.
"Kauto took a tumble when Ruby schooled him at the end of last week. I say tumble, but in truth it was a pretty awful fall.
Smith says "its a shame the news wasnt released earlier"
"Clifford (Baker) worked him on Saturday morning and we've got three weeks to get him in tip-top form."
He fell on Friday
"He's in good form," said Nicholls."Clifford (Baker) worked him on Saturday morning and we've got three weeks to get him in tip-top form."He fell on Friday
Paul Nicholls on his Betfair Blog saturday morning.
We have been getting on top of the coughing and it was good to have two winners yesterday. Ruby was here on Friday morning to school some of our big guns. He schooled Kauto Star, Big Buck's, Al Ferof and Join Together to name but four and I was delighted with them all.
Paul Nicholls on his Betfair Blog saturday morning. We have been getting on top of the coughing and it was good to have two winners yesterday. Ruby was here on Friday morning to school some of our big guns. He schooled Kauto Star, Big Buck's, Al Fero
Bud I think now that I should have used a smiley, I was joking about some peoples desire to put anyone else down, just to make themselves feel good. I mean does anyone REALLY care if others want to tell of their ability to find winners in a very difficult area. If it is over the top boasting it can be annoying, but that is all.
Bud I think now that I should have used a smiley, I was jokingabout some peoples desire to put anyone else down, just to make themselves feel good.I mean does anyone REALLY care if others want to tell of their ability to find winners in a very diffic