Kauto unfazed by Baltic blast
Nicholls is working towards a shot at creating history at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, when Kauto Star could become the first horse ever to win the William Hill King George VI Chase five times.
After making a successful reappearance in the JNWine.com Champion Chase in Down Royal, Nicholls and owner Clive Smith elected against an audacious attempt at winning the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in favour of preserving the brilliant gelding for Kempton.
Nicholls admits time is no longer on Kauto Star’s side as he approaches the age of 11 but, as he surveyed him in his showcase box at Manor Farm Stables in Ditcheat, the champion trainer has never seen his charge’s skin looking better.
“Clive and I decided the King George was the priority and his preparation has gone exactly as we wanted,” Nicholls said.
“As we saw last year, he improved from the Betfair Chase to the King George, and hopefully he’ll show the same improvement from Down Royal to the King George.
“He has done plenty of work, and with the race in three weeks’ time on Sunday, we’re exactly where we want to be.
“I just hope the weather relents but we’ve had no problems.
“We do our own salting, the all-weather gallop has been fine, and he hasn’t missed any work at all in the last few days.”
With usual rider Ruby Walsh a long-term absentee, Nicholls’ plans had to be shuffled again when his earmarked deputy Noel Fehily injured a wrist at Newbury last weekend, but the Irishman’s problem was not as serious as first thought.
“Hopefully Noel will be able to ride him – he could be back by the end of next week. Clive is happy for him to ride, and if he’s ready, then he will,” continued Nicholls.
“After the King George he’ll go straight to the Gold Cup. You never know, but realistically this will be his and (fellow Gold Cup winner) Denman’s last season at the very top of their game, and we want to get them to Cheltenham in the best possible form.
“Obviously Kauto is not getting any younger but I can’t see any reason why he’s not as good as ever.
“He could come back (for the King George) next year, but who knows.”
The sponsors make Kauto Star the 11-8 favourite for this year’s race.
Plans for Nicholls’ other big guns have not changed from the weekend.
Champion staying hurdler Big Buck’s will head for Ascot’s Long Walk Hurdle on December 17 after winning at Newbury, while Denman was “quite tired” after his gallant third in the Hennessy and will not race again before the Gold Cup.
If the weather claims Sandown’s Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase, Master Minded and Twist Magic could be diverted to Cheltenham the following weekend if the Grade One contest is rescheduled at Prestbury Park.
Cheltenham’s meeting is likely to feature Nicholls’ promising novice Robinson Collonges in the December Gold Cup and the rampantly progressive Silviniaco Conti in the Stanjames.com International Hurdle, with juvenile Sam Winner also set to reappear at the fixture.
