Kauto Star to stay in training
The four-time King George VI Chase winner, who has also won two Cheltenham Gold Cups, went down fighting on Friday when third behind Long Run in the blue riband event.
After his defeat at Kempton in January there had been some voices calling for him to be retired but the veteran chaser showed there is plenty of life in him with yet another fine run in the biggest race of the season.
Kauto Star’s stablemate Denman fared slightly better by finishing second and Nicholls will also be welcoming him back to Ditcheat in the autumn.
Denman is being considered for a tilt at the totesport Bowl at Aintree.
Speaking on Twitter, Nicholls said: “Just to end all speculation and rumour once and for all Kauto and Denman are not going to be retired!”
Nicholls will embark on Al Ferof will embark upon a novice chasing career following his outstanding success in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Nicholls said: “Even though the Supreme was clearly a very good race – it was actually faster than the Champion – I don’t think he is a horse that wants to stay hurdling too long.
“We will school him, put him away, and bring him back for a novice chase in the autumn, maybe at Exeter.”
A notable disappointment at Cheltenham for Nicholls was Master Minded, who beat just three home in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Nicholls told his blog on www.betfair.com: “We were nervous of the ground beforehand, and he wants further when encountering that ground in the future. We’ll go for the two-mile-four-furlong at Aintree (Melling Chase) and he will possibly be prepared for the King George.”
