Kauto Star will be aimed at the 2011 Punchestown Festival.(credit:
CharlesFred)
Former Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kauto Star will travel to Ireland in May as the legendary chaser prepares to make his debut at the Punchestown Festival.
The eleven-year-old put up an awesome performance to finish third behind Long Run and Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier this month and there had been plenty of punters wondering where he would go next.
Paul Nicholls has now confirmed that he will tackle the Guinness Gold Cup on May 4 after laughing off claims that the multiple Grade One winner is ready to be retired.
Nicholls explained: "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."
With Long Run being aimed at a trip to Aintree along with Kauto Star’s stablemate Denman, it looks like there is sure to be a thrilling finish to the 2011 jump season.