Coughing worry for Nicholls stable

Paul Nicholls has cancelled a scheduled media visit to his yard tomorrow.

The British champion trainer was unhappy with the performance of some of his string over the weekend, and said it would be the wrong time to invite the press with some horses coughing in his care.

“It is fairly obvious that we had a moderate weekend,” said Nicholls. “We have several horses coughing and my first priority is to the owners in my yard.

“It is my duty to leave no stone unturned now as we prepare for the last three weeks before the (Cheltenham) Festival and, in these circumstances, we do not feel it is appropriate to invite the media on Wednesday.”

Kauto Star is believed to be unaffected by any coughing ahead of his bid to win the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup for a third time.

“I talked to Paul on Sunday night and everything is fine with Kauto Star as far as we know,” said owner Clive Smith.

“Obviously Paul’s got an outbreak and one or two of his horses have got it, but hopefully it won’t affect Kauto Star.

“We won’t know until it either comes out or if he doesn’t get it.

“I hope he doesn’t get it as it might interrupt his programme. The Gold Cup is not far away now – it’s three weeks on Friday.”