Gold duo earn summer break

Kauto Star has run his final race of the campaign after reclaiming his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup crown, but trainer Paul Nicholls has raised the tantalising possibility of him tackling the blue riband for another three years.

After being galloped into submission by stablemate Denman 12 months ago, the nine-year-old majestically returned to Prestbury Park on Friday afternoon and repeated his success of 2007.

The sponsors make him their 5-2 favourite to emulate Best Mate and Arkle with three championship wins next March, although connections believe with sparse campaigning they can extend his racing career.

Nicholls said: "He could run in the next three Gold Cups if we keep him right and he stays injury free. He is nine now and could go on to 10, 11 or even 12.

"There can't be any argument about him now and he is one of the greatest horses we have seen for a long, long time to win the race he has.

"I think the way he is at the moment, he could win another Tingle Creek.

"He is such a professional. We got him home last night and he ate up like he had just done a day's work."

Kauto Star and Denman looked a picture of health as they posed for the cameras in the spring sunshine at Nicholls' Ditcheat yard this morning, before being paraded into the village to be greeted by a 1,000-strong crowd of well wishers.

The pair led the Gold Cup fourth Neptune Collonges, who had Champion Chase winner Master Minded, Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner Big Buck's and Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo in behind.

Nicholls ended the Festival with five wins, the most any trainer has recorded at the meeting and his success was splashed across all the Saturday news pages.

"Kauto is on all the front pages of the papers and is so good for racing," said Nicholls.

"It has been great this morning, talking to all sorts of people from different walks of lives and seeing how much it means to them.

"It has been a great Festival for jump racing. The racing has been good and Kauto is great for everybody.

"I know now he is better off being super fit and fresh, and when he is like that, he is lethal.

"It is amazing and I am so lucky to be in the position I am with the team, facilities, horses and owners behind me."

Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith was also on hand to pose with his Gold Cup trophy, and there were no long faces of 12 months ago with Denman running beyond expectation after an interrupted campaign.

"Last year was quite hard as I was disappointed Kauto got beat and Denman won but there was none of that yesterday as Kauto won, which was brilliant, and Denman was a winner in defeat," Nicholls added.

However, the gallant pair are finished until next autumn and will eventually be turned out in a field with Big Buck's and Master Minded.

"I had a chat with Clive this morning and we have decided that Kauto is not going to run again this year," Nicholls explained.

"He is a Gold Cup winner so we won't run him again and he can come back next year, probably at Down Royal.

"I don't want to go to Haydock for the Betfair Chase with him and Haydock could be ideal for Denman.

"If Kauto is going to try to win a fourth King George, then Haydock is a bit too close so that race is an option for Denman.

"The other race for Denman would be the Hennessy off top weight which is quite a task and I am not sure that would be the best way forward. The Betfair race would fit in nicely for him."

Nicholls' decision to switch Big Buck's to timber paid off with the youngster fending off Punchestowns to land the stayers' crown.

He could yet be seen again this term along with dual Champion Chase winner Master Minded and Celestial Halo, who failed by a neck to provide the Nicholls team with a clean sweep in the championship events.

Nicholls added: "There are only two options for Master Minded - Sandown or Punchestown and there would have to be cut in the ground to run.

"Big Buck's could go to Aintree for the three-mile hurdle, or he could even go to France and race at Auteuil in the Grand Course de Haies d'Auteuil.

"Celestial Halo looks fresh and well, which is surprising as he had the hardest race of the lot.

"If he goes anywhere it will be to Punchestown, but there would have to be cut in the ground as we have a lot to look forward to in the future with him.

"My Will was fifth in the Gold Cup and he's off to the National, while Neptune Collonges will head to the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown again."