• Cheltenham Festival

Kauto Star doubtful for Gold Cup after schooling fall

Kauto Star won the King George VI Chase on Boxign Day © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Kauto Star rated at 95% for Gold Cup
  
• News: Change of plan for Kauto Star
  

Kauto Star is rated 50-50 to make the Cheltenham Gold Cup after suffering a fall in schooling last week.

Paul Nicholls' brilliant chaser, a winner of the Gold Cup on two occasions and a stunning five King George VI Chases, returned to his best this season after a tough time the previous campaign.

On two occasions he has beaten his big rival Long Run, most recently in the King George on Boxing Day, but his participation in National Hunt racing's blue riband event is in doubt after he suffered a "pretty awful fall" in schoolling.

"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," Nicholls wrote in his Betfair column. "I am sad to report that his participation at the Cheltenham Festival is in doubt.

"Kauto took a tumble when Ruby [Walsh] schooled him at the end of last week. I say tumble, but in truth it was a pretty awful fall.

"Clive [Smith, owner] was obviously consulted at all times and we immediately got Kauto checked over. Even though he trotted sound, it was plain to see that he was sore afterwards. He has had the best veterinary and physiotherapy care possible but we hoped that he would be showing more improvement by now.

"I spoke to Clifford [Baker] after returning to the stables after a Cheltenham media day yesterday, and he said Kauto still wasn't fully recovered, remained quite stiff, and in his wise words he felt he was "only 50-50" to make the Festival at this stage. So I immediately spoke to Clive and we felt that it prudent that we put out this update today.

"Next week is crucial for the horse.

"He is still cantering each day but I can assure you right now that Kauto Star won't be going anywhere near Cheltenham unless we are all convinced - Clive Smith, myself, Clifford and the team here - that he is 110 per cent right.

"Even if there is the slightest doubt in our minds, then he stays at home. No question. We will do what is best for the horse. Always have, always will. End of story."

Nicholls is not giving up hope of getting his charge to Cheltenham. He said: "One thing I think we have all learned with Kauto is never to write him off.

"Yes, having this setback so close to the Festival is clearly a major concern, but don't confuse Kauto's kind and inquisitive nature with softness.

"He is a hard so-and-so too - you learn to be when your best mate is Denman - and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he was back firing on all cylinders at home before Cheltenham, and went on to beat Long Run for a third time this season. But at this stage his participation does hang in the balance."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.