Trainer Paul Nicholls says champion steeplechaser Kauto Star has taken a big step forward after a fall last week which left him stiff and sore and in doubt for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
After the 12-year-old cantered with fellow Gold Cup hope What A Friend on Saturday, the trainer issued an upbeat report.
“Kauto had his physio this morning and had an hour on the walker, and you could just tell that he had more of a buzz and a spring in his step, and that a bit of the old swagger had returned,” Nicholls said in his Betfair column.
“So we decided to send him out and he did a strong canter over ten furlongs (2000m) with What A Friend, and delighted us.
“And when Clifford (Baker, head lad) pulled up and said ‘big step forward’, he didn’t need to add anything. I could simply tell by the smile on his face.
“I cannot tell you how massively relieved I am to see Kauto progressing and going forward.
“Don’t get me wrong, or carried away, because he is not there yet.
“Not at all, and things can change daily. But this was a step in the right direction and I’m much happier, I can tell you.”
Earlier, Nicholls admitted he faced “the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make” regarding whether Kauto Star would be allowed to line up in the blue riband in less than a fortnight’s time.
No final decision will be made on his participation until next weekend.
“It’s getting better and better every day,” Nicholls told Channel 4 Racing.
“He’s never taken a lame step, he’s never been off his grub, he looks great and he’s cantered every day since it happened.
“He can’t talk to you and tell you exactly where it (pain) is, it’s impossible to tell. Clifford can just tell by riding him.
“The idea is to work him hard as normal next week and next Saturday he is due to do a strong piece of work, his last serious gallop, with Big Buck’s.
“There are no fitness issues here, we haven’t missed any work and he was fit and well.
“It’s a difficult decision, probably the biggest decision I’ve ever had to make.”