3 minute read

A decision on Kauto Star's participation in the Cheltenham Gold Cup will be made on Monday.

The racing world has been waiting with bated breath as the daily updates have arrived from trainer Paul Nicholls regarding the legendary chaser's progress following a schooling fall.

Noises emanating from Nicholls' Ditcheat base have been positive and owner Clive Smith believes the 12-year-old is "nearly there".

The dual Gold Cup and five-time King George winner will gallop alongside stablemate Mon Parrain after racing at Wincanton on Friday when racegoers will get the chance to see for themselves how he is progressing.

"I'll be going to Wincanton to see him," said Smith.

"He's coming along nicely now and is almost back to normal. We're nearly there, I think.

"The decision on whether he runs or not will be made on Monday, not Friday.

"Paul has said he will school him on the grass gallops at home, as he has done every year before Cheltenham, and after he's done that the decision will be announced."

Meanwhile Invictus has emerged as a doubt for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next Wednesday.

The six-year-old has suffered "a problem", said trainer Alan King, who has still declared him at the six-day declaration stage.

"We will monitor the situation over the next 24 hours. Though I have confirmed the entry for the RSA Chase, Invictus has a problem and at this stage there has to be a doubt as to whether he would run."

Invictus has won three of his four starts over fences, including the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot last time out. His only defeat came at Cheltenham on New Year's Day, when he lost a shoe behind Champion Court.