Kauto and Master Minded possibles for Punchestown Paul Nicholls has stated the ground will be the deciding factor on whether Kauto Star and Master Minded head for the Punchestown Festival next month. Kauto Star became the first horse in history to reclaim the Cheltenham Gold Cup crown at Prestbury Park, while Master Minded won his second Queen Mother Champion Chase at the showpiece meeting. Nicholls is keen to let the Clive Smith-owned duo turn out again this season, but admits there must be some give in the ground if they are make the journey to Ireland. "A lot of it is weather dependant with Kauto Star and Master Minded and we'll have to see what the weather does over the next two or three weeks," Nicholls told At The Races. "If we get a nice, warm, settled spell then they would go out to grass, but if it was wet and cold and they couldn't go out then it's a possibility. "I'm meeting Clive for lunch on Thursday and we'll discuss fully exactly what we're doing about Kauto and Master Minded. "It is a possibility if the ground is suitable."
