Something ‘exceptional’ needed to beat Kauto

PAUL Nicholls believes whatever beats Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup will have to be “exceptional”.

The champion trainer took part in a question and answer session on the BBC Sport website, fielding questions from the public.

And when he was assessing the merits of his two brilliant chasers, current champion Kauto Star and the young pretender Denman, Nicholls admitted that he thought Kauto Star was still the one to beat.