Kauto Tingle run likely

Paul Nicholls has revealed that it is highly unlikely that Kauto Star will bid for a third win in the paddypower.com Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday.

And the champion trainer also issued a warning about his original first choice for the race, Twist Magic.

Nicholls told the Racing Post: “I’m not pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes.

“We want to run Twist Magic but, as I have said to the owners, I wouldn’t want to run him if the ground was very testing.

“If it did, then we have the option of Kauto Star, if we want to, but our favoured option is to run him in the King George.

“I’ll have an eye on the weather forecast and if the ground’s not too bad, which is often the case on the chase track, Twist Magic will be running.

“We’ll make a decision on Thursday when I have all the up-to-date weather forecasts. Everyone will know then what we are going to do.

“I would say that it is highly unlikely that Kauto Star will run but I am not going to say definitely not because with the weather as it is at the moment you have to have all options covered.”

There will be no Irish representation on Saturday as Schindlers Hunt and Mansony will run at Punchestown on Sunday with Gemini Lucy set for the Hilly Way Chase at Cork on Sunday week.