John Durkan next for Stone Paul Nicholls' exciting prospect Kauto Stone is set to head for the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown next month. The French import is a half-brother to illustrious stablemate Kauto Star, and made a fine debut for Nicholls when winning the Grade Two ladbrokes.com Chase at Down Royal earlier this month - the 2,000th career winner for the Ditcheat trainer. A Grade One winner in his native country, Kauto Stone will return to that level at Punchestown, and could go for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March. Speaking in a question and answer session on Betfair's Twitter feed this evening, Nicholls said: "Plenty asking about Kauto Stone. He runs in the John Durkan on Dec 11th. If all goes well we'd head for the Ryanair." Nicholls also confirmed Denman on course for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, with recent Exeter winner The Knoxs, owned by Graham Wylie, bound for the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham's December meeting.
