Nicholls backs Kauto again Paul Nicholls has revealed that any talk of Kauto Star being retired is premature. The champion trainer has come under fire this week following the 11-year-old's third place behind Long Run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton last weekend. Writing in his exclusive column at www.betfair.com/paulnicholls he said: "I honestly think that I have read and heard some of the biggest rubbish this past week from people who don't know the horse. "No-one knows Kauto better than me and my team here at Ditcheat, and we all thought he had never been better going into the race. "It was very disappointing that he didn't travel with any of his normal verve and jump with his usual zest at Kempton. "But he didn't run badly and there have been a couple of possible reasons come to light for his below par performance, namely his small bleed and his mild infection. "As long as he continues to love and thrive in his training and run well, then he will continue to race. If he doesn't, then we will talk retirement."
