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Change of plan for Kauto Star

Kauto Star is set for a day out at Wincanton © Getty Images

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Kauto Star is continuing to make good progress following his setback and will face a key gallop at Wincanton on Friday.

The dual Gold Cup winner suffered a fall in schooling last month and was reported stiff and sore. Trainer Paul Nicholls has kept the public informed with daily updates on arguably the most popular National Hunt horse in training and he has been happy with the 12-year-old's progress.

The plan had been for Kauto Star to school ahead of a key gallop at home, but Nicholls has now elected to send his charge to Wincanton on Friday for a piece of work.

"We upped Kauto Star's work again today," Nicholls wrote in his column on Betfair. "He had his now regular morning physio and an hour on the walker - we should bring out an exercise video, as that routine is getting so much publicity - and then we gave him his most testing workout since his schooling fall. We gave him two strong canters up the hill alongside my Fred Winter hopeful Ulck Du Lin. And again I have to report that he came through it fine and I'm happy with him at the moment.

"What particularly pleased me was that, aside from looking great, he came back from the work and had a good roll in his box, always a good sign with him. He looks happy in himself and Clifford [Baker] is smiling.

"But I can reveal here that we have had a change of plan over the so-called 'D Day' home gallop on Saturday. He will now gallop after racing at Wincanton on Friday instead.

"Why the change of plan? Well, he had a racecourse gallop before he won the Betfair Chase and I thought it a better idea to give him a spin, and a good workout, on the grass away from home. Ruby [Walsh] will ride and he will work with Mon Parrain.

"Everyone can make their own minds up as to how he looks and works. And if he does come through that okay, we will look to school him on Monday morning.

"But I must stress that it is one step at a time, and it is important that people don't get carried away. We aren't, just yet. But we are heading in the right direction quickly, it seems."

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