KAUTO STAR READY FOR NEW SEASON.

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KAUTO STAR will bid to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown from stablemate Denman as a fresh horse, with trainer Paul Nicholls planning to send him straight to the Festival after a run over Christmas.

Clive Smith's eight-year-old has a bid for a third win in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day on the agenda, after which he will be saved for the Totesport-sponsored Gold Cup on March 13.

Kauto Star took in the Aon Chase at Newbury in February en route to his success in the Gold Cup in 2007 and this year he landed the First Commercial Ascot Chase at Ascot in February before following home his stablemate at the Festival.

Nicholls said: "He looks fantastic and I think he is as good as ever. He took time to find his form last year but this year Clifford (Baker, head groom) has been astonished by the way he has been working.

"If the ground and track are right then he will start off at Down Royal on November 1,and if he misses that then he will go straight to the Betfair Chase at Haydock later that month.

"He then has four or five weeks to the King George and we will then keep him fresh and go straight to Cheltenham."

Neptune Collonges completed a famous one-two-three in the Gold Cup for Nicholls last spring, and he will bid to follow in Denman's footsteps by winning the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.

"He was probably the most improved horse in training last year and I hope he can keepimproving," said Nicholls.

"He is always better after Christmas so will start off in the Lexus Chase, have one more before the Gold Cup and then go to Punchestown to try and win the Gold Cup there for the third year."

Another the champion trainer envisages developing into a Gold Cup contender is Big Buck's, winner of the Grade 2 John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree.

He said: "He will have his first run in the Hennessy, which is often won by a second-season chaser, and I would like to think he could develop into another candidate for the Gold Cup."

Here is an update on stablemate Denman.

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP hero Denman is to start cantering next week, trainer Paul Nicholls said on Thursday, after successful treatment for his fibrillating heart.

Nicholls is eyeing the Aon Chase at Newbury in February, as the likely comeback race for the eight-year-old, who may also run at Aintree after he bids to retain the Gold Cup in March.

"All has been well since he was treated for his fibrillating heart," said Nicholls.
"He looks fantastic and has been doing two hours a day and will start cantering next week.

"He won't run this side of Christmas but will have one run before Cheltenham - and that's highly likely to be the Aon Chase.

"He'll be a fresh horse, so he could run again after Cheltenham next year and go to Aintree for the Betfair Bowl."

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