Star On Course For Festival Prep

Kauto Star, hot favourite for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, is set to make his final appearance before the Festival at Newbury on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls has confirmed the seven-year-old as an intended runner in the Aon Chase, with the Grade Two race having been reopened until this morning after attracting just seven possibles at the five-day stage.

'He's still on course for Newbury, he's fine and there have been no problems at all ? he's all ready to go,' said the champion trainer.

Kauto Star is as short as 11-8 with Coral for the blue riband after winning each of his four starts over fences this term, including the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the Tingle Creek Trophy over two miles.

The seven-year-old's King George success at Kempton last time also puts him on track for a possible £1million bonus from Betfair if he can triumph at Cheltenham.

Nicholls had also considered also entering the Clive Smith-owned gelding for the two-mile-one-furlong totepool Game Spirit Chase on the same card in case the ground came up testing.

However, the Ditcheat handler is satisfied with conditions at Newbury and has opted not to make the extra entry.

'We decided to go straight for the Aon as we have seen the weather forecast and it looks OK,' he explained.

'If it changes, it changes, and we would still have the option of going to Ascot a week on Saturday, but the forecast looks fine.

'The ground is currently good to soft, good in places and they may just want a little drop of rain to keep it that way.'

? PA Sport