Kauto Star gets green light for the Gold Cup

It’s the news the horse world has been waiting for.

Kauto Star will be going to Cheltenham on Friday (16 March) to contest his sixth- and probably last – Gold Cup.

Trainer Paul Nicholls made the announcement in his Betfair column.

“I have just put the ‘phone down to [owner] Clive [Smith] and, barring any mishaps in the next few days, Kauto lines up for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Friday,” he said.

“Clive and I have given Kauto Star the green light for the Cheltenham Gold Cup after a very good schooling session on the grass this morning.

“Ruby [Walsh] came over to school him and Kauto was awesome, just as I’d thought he would be. He jumped six fences and he was foot-perfect,” he added.

Kauto’s chances of running in the Gold Cup were described as only “50:50” following what Paul Nicholls described as a “pretty awful fall” when jumping a fence at his Ditcheat base last month.

Doubts over the 12-year-old gelding’s participation did ease slightly on Friday (9 March) when he pleased connections with a gallop on the racecourse at Wincanton.

Now racing fans can breath a sigh of relief as “King Kauto” attempts his third Gold Cup victory.

“We are looking forward to it,” said Paul Nicholls.

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