Kauto Star out of Sandown contest
Paul Nicholls stated on Sunday the four-times King George VI Chase winner was unlikely to run again this season.
Also scratched from the Sandown contest are New Alco, disappointing in the William Hill Trophy at Cheltenham after a long absence, and Iris De Balme, who was pulled up in the Midlands Grand National on Saturday.
The same two horses have also been taken out of the Grand National.
Meanwhile, Time For Rupert is likely to clash with Big Buck’s again in Aintree’s John Smith’s Liverpool Hurdle on the first day of the Grand National meeting.
Paul Webber’s six-year-old put up a career-best effort at Cheltenham when beating all bar Paul Nicholls’ two-time winner in the World Hurdle.
Novice chasing beckons for the gelding next term, but Webber is keen to have one more crack at a Grade One hurdle first.
“He’s come out of it fine, I even rode him myself this morning and he managed to stagger up the hill with me on board!” said Webber.
“He seems to come out of these races very, very well at the moment which hopefully is a sign that he can still improve a little bit here or there.
“He seems to be improving with every run so hopefully he might go to Aintree.
“His best runs have been on good ground, Aintree last year was pretty quick and it certainly doesn’t hinder him.
“There is a bit of talk that Big Buck’s might go chasing but I’d have thought we’ll stick to the plan and go chasing too. Obviously, if something goes wrong we can go back to the World Hurdle, but certainly the plan as of now is to go chasing with him.”
