Kauto Star out for rest of season

Kauto Star, the hot ante-post favourite for the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, has been ruled out for the rest of the season through injury.

The ex-French five-year-old bolted up at Newbury on his debut for Paul Nicholls in December but fell two from home before being remounted at Exeter on Monday.

Nicholls told Teletext yesterday: “Kauto Star was stiff and sore after his race on Monday and for my piece of mind I decided to have him X-rayed this afternoon.

“It showed a small fracture to his near-hind leg. It’s not major, but enough to keep him out for the season.”

Kauto Star, described after Newbury as a “machine” by jockey Ruby Walsh, looked to be coasting to victory at Exeter and still nearly won after Walsh had ridden him over the last without any stirrups.

“I have spoken to his owner and we have no option but to box rest him until he is over his injury and that’s it for the season.

“It’s very disappointing for us as he would have had a big chance (in the Arkle) but we’ve still got a horse for the future.”