Kauto Star shines in racecourse workout
The six-year-old travelled to Exeter at the end of last week and Nicholls was delighted with his performance.
"He went down to Exeter on Friday and worked over a mile and six furlongs with Ruby Walsh," he told Teletext.
"Liam Heard rode Le Passing with him and I was very pleased, he jumped superbly."
Kauto Star had been due to contest the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury last month but missed out when the meeting was abandoned due to frost.
Nicholls was keen to get a stiff piece of work into his charge as Kauto Star has not run since winning the Tingle Creek at Sandown last December.
"I really wanted to get a gallop into him but it was getting difficult with the bad weather and Friday was the perfect day for him," added Nicholls.
"It's all systems go for Cheltenham next week now."
Meanwhile Tom Mullins is hoping Ruby Walsh will be available to partner Asian Maze if she lines up in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday week.
The seven-year-old has an alternative engagement in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle but after the mare worked at Leopardstown on Sunday, Mullins is leaning towards the three-mile staying event instead.
Walsh partnered Asian Maze to victory at Aintree last season and could be set to take over from Paul Carberry, who got the leg up on her last two starts.
Mullins said: "It was a good bit of work yesterday. Ruby was very happy with Asian Maze, he said she was very fit and with only one run up to now you are always wondering if they're fit enough but he said she's 100%.
"If she goes to the stayers' race, as far as I know, Ruby is definitely available and I think Paul Carberry would be riding Rosaker for Noel Meade.
"For the Champion, I think both of them are kind of available there. We will see during the week what happens."
Asian Maze's seasonal bow was delayed until last month after she suffered a hind-leg problem but Mullins is sure she is back on song now.
He told At The Races: "We are all pretty confident she's over her problems.
"She's been working well and the only thing that could help her now is for the weather to warm up a bit.
"I think getting more sun on her back might even bring her on further but otherwise I would say she's 110% at the moment."
