Nicholls unmoved by Star rating

Paul Nicholls insists Kauto Star’s high handicap mark is an “irrelevant” factor for connections.

Phil Smith, senior jumps handicapper for the British Horseracing Board, awarded Nicholls’ stable star a rating of 176 after his wide-margin success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock.

That mark leaves Kauto Star rated as the best staying chaser of the last decade but Nicholls is unmoved by the news.

“I haven’t really paid much attention to what mark the handicapper has given him as it’s irrelevant,” he said.

“He won’t be running in handicaps. Whether it’s 176, 170 or 180, it doesn’t matter. It won’t affect where we go with him.

“It was a good performance and we are looking forward to running him again.

“He’s fine. He cantered this morning and we will not be doing a lot with him now for the next week or two. He just spent a couple of days walking and we are very happy with him,” he told Racing UK.

Stan James have seen further support for Kauto Star ahead of the King George VI Chase and now make him their 11-10 favourite from 5-4.