Kauto Star will make his first appearance at the Punchestown Festival when he travels to Ireland in May.

The 11-year-old ran a terrific race in defeat in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, finishing third to Long Run and stablemate Denman in a pulsating renewal.

Paul Nicholls' dual Gold Cup winner led a parade of Cheltenham stars at Wincanton, with the champion trainer revealing the Guinness Gold Cup on May 4 will be his target.

Nicholls told Racing UK: "He had a hard race and ran an absolute blinder really, it certainly put all those who said he should retired right, and he's fresh and well.

"He ran a blinding race and the idea now is he goes to Punchestown. He's not going to Aintree so it should be ideal for him."