Kauto Goes Straight To Cheltenham

Queen Mother Champion Chase favourite Kauto Star will go straight to the Cheltenham Festival without a prep run.

The Paul Nicholls-trained six-year-old was set to take his chance in the rearranged Game Spirit Chase at Lingfield but testing conditions at the Surrey track forced the Ditcheat handler into a rethink.

'Kauto Star is a non-runner because of the ground,' Nicholls told Teletext.

'I didn't want to run him on heavy ground.

'The ground was getting softer and softer and I got a little bit nervous and I just thought I'd better not risk him.

'He won't have a run before Cheltenham now, he'll go straight for the Champion Chase.'

? PA Sport