Walsh To Do Fine Tuning As Kauto Returns

Kauto Star will be reunited with his Gold Cup-winning partner Ruby Walsh in the coming days ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to action in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree on October 28.

Walsh is expected to make a trip from his native Ireland to Ditcheat in Somerset to pop the seven-year-old over a few fences before the pair team up in the Grade Two event.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: 'He hasn't had a school yet, but Ruby will come down and sit on him in the next fortnight.

'He doesn't need much schooling though as he jumps pretty well at home.

'We had a fantastic season with him last year ? winning all six races between two and three miles.

'The intention is to go to Aintree but that is not set in stone. If the ground isn't suitable he won't go, but if it is decent he will run.

'It is a handicap so he will face a stiff task and we are giving good horses like My Way De Solzen plenty of weight, but you have to start somewhere and it fits in nicely.

'Win, lose or draw he will have a month to Haydock (Betfair Chase) and then a month to Kempton (Stan James King George VI Chase).

'I should think we won't go for the Tingle Creek this year ? but that isn't set in stone either as you have to be flexible.

'He will then have a break and a run somewhere before going back to Cheltenham again, and then he could go to Aintree in the spring, but his three main races are the Betfair Chase, the King George and the Gold Cup.

'Going straight to Haydock next month would be fine if the ground isn't right at Aintree as he would be that much fitter further down the line and the conditions of the race suit him well.'

(C) PA Sport