Racing Legends - Mick Fitzgerald

Mick Fitzgerald

Since racing his first winner, Lover’s Secret, at Ludlow in December 1988 at the age of 18, Mick Fitzgerald has slowly but surely built a reputation as one of the finest jockeys in National Hunt racing.

Mick Fitzgerald started his racing career on the pony racing circuit in Ireland, graduating to horse racing at the age of 16 when he joined Wexford trainer Richard Lister’s stable. After finishing school Fitzgerald crossed the Irish Sea and worked in the stables of National Hunt trainer Richard Tucker who provided the young jockey with his first winner.

Climbing the peaks of the racing world was a slow process for Mick Fitzgerald, and it was only in the 1991/1992 National Hunt season that he formed the strong partnership with a trainer that is so important for success in horse racing. Fitzgerald paired up with Nick Henderson in 1991, but despite winning numerous wins on the National Hunt racing circuit it would be another five years before he landed his first major title.

In 1996 Mick Fitzgerald, Cheltenham Festival legend, joined forces with trainer Terry Casey and entered the Grand National on race favourite Rough Quest. Rough Quest did his reputation of race favourite proud, winning Mick Fitzgerald one of the most coveted prizes in horse racing.

Once Mick Fitzgerald had a Grand National win under his belt, his career gathered momentum. At the 1999 Cheltenham Festival Fitzgerald picked up four wins, including the ultimate prize – the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

His excellent display of jump riding earned him his first Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey title. Later in the year Mick Fitzgerald won another of the greatest prizes in horse racing, winning the 1999 King George VI Chase on See More Business.

Not content with a single Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey title, Mick Fitzgerald won another four races at the 2000 Cheltenham Festival winning his second consecutive title. Although Fitzgerald did not ride the winner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, he did pick up a win in the prestigious Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase.

Apart from his steady maturation into one of the most formidable riders in National Hunt racing, Mick Fitzgerald, Cheltenham Festival legend, is also known as one of the personalities of the National Hunt riding circuit and is a regular guest in television studios.

www.cheltenham.co.uk

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Shooters Wood Winner for Walsh

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The Ruby Walsh-ridden Shooters Wood held off Wetak to land the paddypower.com Handicap Chase at Cheltenham.

Paul Nicholls' charge (7/1) travelled very well throughout the two mile contest and hit the front coming down the hill.

Although sternly challenged by Wetak (12/1) after the last, he was driven out by Walsh for a well-deserved victory.

Nicholls said: "We were delighted with our horse (Unioniste, third) in the first. He ran well behind two very good horses and this lad's run a blinder.

"Ruby said he probably should have won on him at Taunton the last day. It was the first time he'd sat on him and he said he should have saved a bit.

"Today I knew Ruby would ride him a bit differently and save a little bit for the hill and it was perfect."

Nicholls added: "I think left-handed tracks suit him better. "He looks an out-and-out two-miler and I'm not sure what we will do with him now."

Walsh said: "He's a good jumper and has loads of pace which is what you need in a two-mile horse."

The runner-up, ridden by Tom Scudamore and trained by French handler Francois Cottin, was the only one who could match strides with the winner before two out but just couldn't reel in his rival late on.

Third home was Fergal O'Brien's Silver Roque (6/1) who threatened to play a major part before the last fence but could find no more in the final furlong.

The well-fancied pair of Astracad and Kid Cassidy, sent off the 9/2 joint-favourites, both plugged on to finish fourth and fifth respectively.

Related articles

• Paul Nicholls fires in Dodging Bullets at Cheltenham Open meeting
• Big Buck's delights Paul Nicholls with pre-racing workout at Exeter
• End of an era: Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George legend Kauto Star retired
• Trainers, Colin Tizzard and Paul Nicholls brush shoulders in the Exeter meeting
• Racing legend Kauto Star retired
• Sizing Europe slams Clonmel rivals

No Hurricane for Walsh as Ruby Rocks

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Rock On Ruby ran out a most impressive winner of the Stan James Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham under Noel Fehily. 

With Overturn adopting his customary front-running tactics, Fehily sat closest to him on Paul Nicholls-trained 11-1 shot Rock On Ruby. 

The two opened up a gap on the rest of the field heading down the hill and all of a sudden, those in behind were struggling to bridge the gap. 

Last year's winner and hot favourite Hurricane Fly came out of the pack to try and challenge, but he was never getting there and Rock On Ruby stayed on best up the hill to beat Overturn by three and three-quarter lengths. Hurricane Fly was only third.

While odds-on favourite Hurricane Fly could be spotted travelling strongly under Ruby Walsh in the middle part of the race, the jockey had gone for his whip long before the turn for home. 

The first two dominated the race from start to finish and of the pair, it was Fehily who had most up his sleeve and in the end his mount was a decisive winner to give Nicholls his first Champion Hurdle victor. 

Binocular, winner of the race in 2010, tracked Hurricane Fly for most of the race having been held up at the back of the field. He, too, made late ground to finish fourth, but as with the majority of the field, it was all too late. 

Fehily said: 'I went down and schooled him earlier in the week and he felt amazing. 

'I was told not to worry about sending him on but I was worried going to the last as he was pulling up a little bit, but he picked up again afterwards. 

'The ground probably suited him a little bit today, he was very well on the day.'

Nicholls, who saddled four of the runners, said: 'It's just testament to the whole team. It's a really tremendous effort and everyone is going to be thrilled. 

'I didn't like the way Zarkandar looked in the paddock. He was a bit shelly and a bit light. 

'This horse is a seven-year-old, he's the right age, and it's brilliant. 'It was a great ride by Noel. He's a good man and has got a great winner. This is awesome.'

Assistant trainer Harry Fry, who effectively looks after the training of Rock On Ruby in Nicholls' satellite yard, said: 'I'm speechless. This is what you dream of. 

'It's great to be part of the team. With Richard (Barber) and Paul, you wouldn't ask for better. 

'They've given me the chance and the opportunity. 

'We wanted to win. We didn't come here to finish second best. We were here to win and he's come and done it. 

I didn't think he'd win that well. It's a brilliant day.'

Champion Hurdle May Just Fly

Willie Mullins reports Hurricane Fly to be in fine form ahead of Tuesday's  defence at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old returns to Prestbury Park having won his last seven starts at Grade One level and some argue he faces an easier task than he did 12 months ago.

Although the gelding's well-documented fragility prevented him running for the first half of the current campaign, he looked better than ever when making a breathtaking return in January's Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Mullins reports his pride and joy to be a far more relaxed individual than last year after seeing him take to the famous Cheltenham turf for a spin on the eve of the Festival, and is pleased officials have decided to water after walking the course himself.

"He travelled over well, he rode out nicely this morning and seems in nice form," said Mullins.

"He seems much more relaxed on the gallop over here than he was last year.

"They are watering the track at the moment, which I think is a good thing. They are calling the ground good, good to soft in places but after walking the track this morning, I'd say there is a lot of good.

"With the way the temperatures are - it's a cloudless day today - that probably prompted them to water and I'm glad to see it. If it's softer it's safer."

The Irish champion trainer is unsure whether the classy French recruit has improved since his comeback run at Leopardstown, but will be more than satisfied if he lines up in the same form as that day.

"I think he's just holding his form and I'm happy with that," he added.

Mullins has a second string in Zaidpour, who is unbeaten in his last four starts.

He disappointed in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the opening day of the Festival last year, but his trainer feels there were excuses.

"The ground is probably too dry for him, but what ever chance he has the ground would be way too dry for him by Thursday (World Hurdle), so we'll let him take his chance tomorrow," he added.

"He has Grade One form over two miles, so we have to give him his chance to do it.

"He wasn't right last year coming to the Festival and we think he's in good order this year."

Binocular is expected to give a big run with the 2010 Champion Hurdle winner hoping to make up or missing out on defending his crown 12 months ago.

The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old landed the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton before supplementing that with victory in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last month.

"I know AP (McCoy) came back happy after Wincanton and I was thrilled. He looked like his old self the way he jumped," said trainer Nicky Henderson.

"He has got to be back where he was (to win), but it was the positive vibes that told us he was something near the same horse. It has put us right in the mix."

Binocular's regular partner Tony McCoy was also delighted with the Wincanton performance and is looking forward to taking on Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham.

"He jumped very well at Wincanton. At times he has never given the impression he's the same horse that won the Champion Hurdle," said the champion jockey.

"His run at Kempton (in the Christmas Hurdle) was better but he gave me a better feel at Wincanton.

"I think he's got a long way to go to beat Hurricane Fly, he's an exceptional horse who has won 10 Grade Ones and never looked like getting beat.

"But it is Cheltenham, and at Wincanton he felt better than he has done for a long time."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is responsible for four of the 10 runners in the Champion Hurdle as he seeks to win this race for the first time.

Zarkandar, who lifted the Triumph Hurdle last year, is the pick of his quartet thanks to victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

"Zarkandar won at Newbury and is in really good form. He's four from four and you wouldn't know how much improvement he might make," said Nicholls.

"Rock On Ruby is a great price seeing how he ran against Binocular and Cheltenham will suit him better.

"I don't think there's much between the two, but maybe Zarkandar has more room for improvement.

"Celestial Halo didn't run his race last time and was quiet for a few days afterwards. He doesn't want the ground testing.

"Brampour isn't a forlorn hope of picking up some crumbs and getting placed. He had some hard races before Christmas but is back to form now."

Celestial Halo chased home Binocular in the Kingwell and has finished second and fourth in two previous Champion Hurdles.

His owner Andy Stewart would be chuffed with another top-four spot.

"If Celestial Halo is third or fourth we'll be very happy," he said.

Jessica Harrington believes the expected fast pace in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle will suit Oscars Well, who she feels is coming to hand at the right time.

The seven-year-old was runner-up to Hurricane Fly in the Irish Champion Hurdle and would probably have won the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the 2011 Festival but for a mistake at the last.

"Oscar has been improving with every run this year and I feel he has improved again since his run at Leopardstown when runner up to 'The Fly'," the County Kildare trainer told her website, www.jessicaharringtonracing.com.

"I think the stronger pace that will be set in the Champion Hurdle will suit him better and hopefully play into our hands. He has such a high cruising speed.

"Realistically I do feel Hurricane Fly is going to be very hard to beat but it's racing, you never know what can happen.

"Look what happened to Oscar at the last hurdle last year, would he have won? We will never know.

"But I do feel he will run a big race on Tuesday and all his preparation hasn't led me to think otherwise."

Jockey Robbie Power also thinks Oscars Well has plenty going for him.

"One thing about him is he has a fantastic cruising speed," he said.

"He almost travelled too well in the Neptune last year and we were thinking after Cheltenham we should have gone for the two-mile race (Supreme), but he's just a horse that as the season went on got quicker and quicker.

"He's done the same this year and there's the old saying you should never be afraid of one horse.

"It will be very hard to beat Hurricane Fly, but if something goes wrong, hopefully we'll be there to pick up the pieces.

"If we get a place we'll be over the moon."

Kalann is the outsider of the field, but his trainer Sabrina Harty is not without hope.

"He scoped badly (after Gowran) so we put him on antibiotics and he is fine now," said the County Kildare handler.

"He did it very easily when he won at Cheltenham in October and the way he did it was very impressive, but he was quite a small horse then and he has got bigger and stronger since then.

"He is a good-ground horse and all his runs in Ireland are on soft ground so we just put a line through them. He has never won on ground with soft in the description.

"In the Irish Champion Hurdle, the ground was yielding the day before but on the day it was almost unraceable, so we just let him hack round and he had a short break after Down Royal anyway.

"He is a laid-back horse and that is why we hold him up as it appears to suit him."

Darlan Novice Ante-post Favourite

Ante-post favourite Darlan will face 18 rivals in Tuesday's Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Nicky Henderson's starlet fell on his most recent start at Newbury but along with jockey Tony McCoy has recovered well enough to take his place in the traditional curtain raiser.

Henderson has won the race twice before, in 1986 and 1992, and has a remarkable 39 Festival winners to his name.

Also taking part in the two mile contest will be Vulcanite and Hazy Tom, trained by former Henderson assistant Charlie Longsdon, whilst Paul Nicholls will saddle the Graham Wylie-owned Prospect Wells who will be ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Nicholls won the race last year with Al Ferof and will be hoping to record his third Supreme Novices' success as a trainer.

Philip Hobbs runs Colour Squadron, Alan King Montbazon and Donald McCain will rely on Cinders And Ashes as well as Agent Archie, with stable jockey Jason Maguire riding the former.

A strong Irish challenge will be led by Jessica Harrington's Steps To Freedom, and includes Willie Mullins' trio of Midnight Game, Allure Of Illusion and Simenon as well as Distant Memories, Trifolium and Galileo's Choice.

The field will be completed by David Pipe's Catch Tammy, Noel Meade's Dylan Ross and Tim Vaughan's Jimbill.

Sizing Europe and Big Zeb

Sizing Europe and Big Zeb are among 10 horses left in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The respective 2011 and 2010 winners are among 10 horses left in the two-mile feature at the confirmation stage.

Sizing Europe defeated Big Zeb by five lengths 12 months ago to follow up his win in the Arkle Trophy in 2010.

And Henry de Bromhead's stable star got the better of his old rival by 15 lengths in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown last month.

However, Colm Murphy is expecting a better performance from Big Zeb next week.

Willie Mullins has left in the progressive Blazing Tempo, who completed a hat-trick of victories at Fairyhouse, while the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh, third in last year's Arkle Trophy, is the other Irish possible.

Heading the home brigade is the Nicky Henderson-trained Finian's Rainbow, who chased home Captain Chris in last year's Arkle.

He was caught close to the finish by Somersby in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot last time.

Somersby is, however, more likely to take his chance in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday, unless there is plenty of cut in the ground.

Others standing their ground are Wishfull Thinking, Gauvain, Kauto Stone and I'm So Lucky.

The withdrawn horses were I'msingingtheblues, Jewson Novices' Chase-bound Peddlers Cross, Nacarat and Hold Fast.

Ruby Relishing Cheltenham Book

Ruby Walsh is relishing his strong book of rides at the Cheltenham Festival headed by Hurricane Fly, Quevega, Big Buck's - and hopefully Kauto Star.

He has already amassed a total of 32 Festival winners, overhauling two years ago the record of 25 set by the late Pat Taaffe.

The latter is remembered for his association with three-times Gold Cup hero Arkle and Walsh has built up a similar relationship with Kauto Star.

They have already won two Betfred Gold Cups, but their prospects of going for a third depend on whether the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding recovers well enough from a schooling fall to take his chance.

"I hope Kauto Star gets there 100%, but whether he'll win or not he'll be a great ride," Walsh told Racing UK.

"Realistically, I think over that trip Long Run will be very hard to beat. It's not Cheltenham that suits Long Run, it's the trip."

He gets the leg up on Kauto Star's half-brother Kauto Stone in the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase and is expecting a big run.

"I'll probably ride Kauto Stone in the Champion Chase and I think he'll finish second," he said.

Walsh, who has the pick of rides from the Nicholls team and Irish trainer Willie Mullins, took the Stan James Champion Hurdle on Hurricane Fly for the latter last year.

And the Mullins stable star is a hot favourite to repeat the trick on Tuesday week.

"He was a really good winner last year, but probably travelled a bit too keen for me on the day," Walsh said.

"Luckily enough, he was good enough to get away with it. He's been good ever since and fingers crossed he gets there in the same sort of form."

Walsh reports Quevega from the Mullins camp to be in fine shape as she tries to win the OLBG Mares' Hurdle for the fourth year running.

"She's in good nick. I schooled her last week and she jumped well. She's been working well," he said.

"She's a bit of a lady. Willie looks after her and she's in good old form at home. Obviously she (Unaccompanied) would be a danger if she runs. She beat Thousand Stars at Christmas and she'd be in there with a challenge."

The Nicholls-trained Big Buck's also seeks to land the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for a fourth time, with Walsh full of praise for the stayer who goes for his 16th win in a row.

"He's a very good horse. The more winning he has done, the easier he is to ride," he said.

"You definitely wouldn't get off him. He used to stop when he got to the front and he used to idle - he's not like that anymore. He's an unbelievable stayer."

Walsh is hopeful Nicholls' Al Ferof can give the exciting novice Sprinter Sacre a race in the Racing Post Arkle Trophy.

"He likes good ground, he schooled last week and he's in great form," Walsh added.

"It does hinge on Sprinter Sacre, who has looked breathtaking. If I can keep on his tail, there'll be nothing finishing faster than Al Ferof."

Kauto Star Rated 50-50

Two-time champion Kauto Star is rated "50-50" to race in the Cheltenham Gold Cup after suffering a fall on the gallops on Friday.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 12-year-old took a "pretty awful fall" under jockey Ruby Walsh at his Somerset yard.

"There's no easy way to say this but Kauto Star is only 50-50 to make the Gold Cup," said Nicholls on Betfair.

The 16 March Cheltenham showpiece was expected to be a duel between Kauto Star and defending champion Long Run.

“Even if there is the slightest doubt in our minds, then he stays at home. No question.”Kauto Star's trainer Paul Nicholls

Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith told BBC Radio 5 live: "I'm very, very concerned indeed. There is grave doubt whether we can make it. We're just hoping for the best that he makes a bit more of a recovery from this point in time.

"He will not run unless the best veterinary advice says he is up to taking part in such a serious race. There's no question the horse's welfare is paramount and we want the best future for him."

Nicholls added in his blog: "As a trainer, it is all too easy to sit on information when it comes to your horses.

"They have so many minor worries, niggles and setbacks - most of which turn out to be nothing of long-term importance - that you could be constantly updating on each of your string, to the press and the public, on a hourly, daily and weekly basis.

"But our policy at Ditcheat is always to be up front and honest about the well-being of our horses - such as the coughing scare last week - and especially so when it is a public, and once-in-a-lifetime horse, such as Kauto.

"In my opinion, the public have a right to know. In many ways, he is as much theirs, as Clive Smith's and ours.

"So I am sad to report that his participation at the Cheltenham Festival is in doubt."

Nicholls said Kauto Star was clearly sore after the fall and admitted he hoped he would be showing more improvement by now.

"Next week is crucial for the horse," added Nicholls.

"He is still cantering each day but I can assure you right now that Kauto Star won't be going anywhere near Cheltenham unless we are all convinced - Clive Smith, myself, Clifford and the team here - that he is 110%.

"Even if there is the slightest doubt in our minds, then he stays at home. No question. We will do what is best for the horse. Always have, always will. End of story.

"But one thing I think we have all learned with Kauto is never to write him off."

Walsh told Racing UK: "He's done it a few times on the track but never at home, he's probably been round that school a thousand times.

"If I knew why he'd done it you'd prevent them all falling. It's part of racing. It's not great timing but it happened.

"I've seen horses bounce back from this and win the next day. If he's right he'll run and if he's not he won't.

"I don't even want to think about what I might ride if he doesn't run."

Kauto Star looked to be in the twilight of his career at the start of the season following the defeats by Long Run in the 2010 King George and the subsequent Gold Cup in March before pulling up at Punchestown in May.

But Nicholls's charge, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009, hit back to beat younger rival Long Run in the prestigious Betfair Chase at Haydock in November .

And he created history when he again defeated Long Run to land a fifth King George VI Chase victory at Kempton Park on Boxing Day to set up the Cheltenham showdown.

"This is very serious," said BBC horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght. "It would be a real blow to the Gold Cup - an enormous shame not just to racing but to sport in general. When champions come back and try to win again people love to see them in action and if he's not there to take on Long Run he will be sorely missed."

Clerk Claisse on Backup Water

Cheltenham's clerk of the course Simon Claisse says the Cotswold track has enough water in its reservoir to survive the dry spell on the run-up to this month's Festival.

Claisse generally aims for good to soft ground at the biggest jumping meeting of the year, but a serious lack of rain has led to him to call for back-up resources.

"It has been pretty dry," he said.

"We have had an eighth of the rain we would normally expect in February but the reservoir is pretty well full.

"As the forecast was dry, we applied a second bit of irrigation and by this afternoon it will be good all round on the chase and hurdle courses. It is good to firm, firm in places on the cross country course and we will look to water that course in some places.

"There is some light rain forecast Friday to Monday and we will take a decision as to further watering on the chase and hurdle courses come Monday or Tuesday.

"It is not looking as if there will be a deluge but the course is in fantastic order and it has not been raced on since April last year.

"We have used 1.2million gallons of our water so far, and there's another six to use."

On a preview day at Cheltenham when the handicap weights were announced, senior British Horseracing handicapper Phil Smith appealed to British trainers to run horses in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Handicap Chase, a race won every year by the Irish since its inception in 2005.

"You're not taking it seriously enough. It's a potential target for really good prize money," he said.

Henrietta Knight retorted: "I'm not surprised if they are running it on good to firm ground."

Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie has announced that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, would be attending the Festival on Wednesday and would present prizes for both the Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase and the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Long Run Schools for Betfred

Long Run will have a schooling session with jumping guru Yogi Breisner next week in preparation for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Nicky Henderson's seven-year-old also had his first workout since his victory at Newbury two weeks ago on Tuesday morning.

"He came out of Newbury well and did his first bit of work this morning," said the Seven Barrows handler.

"He'll have one session with Yogi Breisner next week and won't see a fence between now and then.

"He'll wear earplugs in the parade (at Cheltenham) and they will come out at the start."

Henderson admits Kauto Star will be a formidable opponent at Cheltenham.

"I don't think there's any doubt this is a different horse to the one we were playing with last year," Henderson said of Kauto Star.

"I think he was going through a patch last year and people were baying for his retirement. I wish Paul had listened!

"He has even avoided going through the final fence now - he has put the whole thing together.

"At Kempton we were only beaten a couple of lengths and (Long Run) had really winged the last we might have got it down.

"Ruby (Walsh) has really put the turbo on early with Kauto this year and (Cheltenham) is a different track to do it on.

"In the Gold Cup they tend to wind up the pace and if he's going to go on, he's got another two and a half furlongs up the hill to go."

Favourite

Henderson added: "We were two-love up and now it's two-all and it's going to be a very interesting battle.

"I've a nasty feeling public opinion will go with the old favourite and I'll be a very unpopular if we beat him.

"Last year was a great Gold Cup. It's all to play for and I don't think there's much between them."

One weapon Henderson has up his sleeve is the use of earplugs, which the French-bred has traditionally worn during races.

"He will have them for the parade, as we want to block that out, but they will come off in the race," he said.

second string

Seven Barrows suddenly boasts another Gold Cup contender in Burton Port, who closed to just half a length behind Long Run at Newbury when in receipt of 10lb.

However, it was his first start for a year and a quarter and Henderson is wary of the 'bounce factor' - when horses run well on their return from a lay-off but fail to back it up the next time.

"We got the impression he had improved at home and we weren't surprised how he ran," the trainer said.

"He got 10lb at Newbury and he's got to improve more than that, but I think there is improvement.

"We've just got to pray there's no dreaded 'bounce'.

"No-one has been able to explain it, but it does happen and you have to be wary about it. But he does look fantastic."

Punters should also hold their bets for the John Smith's Grand National on Burton Port, even if it is owner Trevor Hemmings' favourite race.

Henderson continued: "Trevor has very much said, 'This is a good horse - let's win the Gold Cup, rather than leave him for Aintree."'

Kauto Star Delights Nicholls

Paul Nicholls is delighted with Kauto Star as he prepares for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup at Prestbury Park next month.

The only horse ever to regain the crown after adding success in 2009 to his first two years earlier, Clive Smith's gelding has been in irresistible form this term, defeating 2011 hero Long Run in both the Betfair Chase and King George VI Chase.

Kauto Star has been unaffected by the recent coughing outbreak among some horses at trainer Paul Nicholls' stables, and delighted connections in his latest workout.

"He's in good form," said Nicholls.

"Clifford (Baker) worked him on Saturday morning and we've got three weeks to get him in tip-top form."

His half-brother Kauto Stone is also on target for Cheltenham with the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase rather than the Ryanair Chase looking the more likely option after he ran too free in the Ascot Chase last time.

"He's in the Ryanair and the Champion Chase and we've got to make a decision," the Ditcheat trainer said.

"If he ran in the Ryanair the way he did at Ascot he won't get home so we might look at the Champion Chase."

Nicholls is unlikely to pitch Dodging Bullets into the JCB Triumph Hurdle, even though he ran ante-post favourite Grumeti to a length and a half in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle on his debut over jumps at Kempton on Saturday.

"He ran a great race. I'll probably go to Aintree with him. He's a bit green and inexperienced to be going to the Triumph," he said.

Gifford Thinks Specialty for Tullamore

Nick Gifford is leaning towards naming the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase as Tullamore Dew's target at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 10-year-old also holds an entry in the Byrne Group Plate over two miles and five furlongs, but Gifford would prefer to let him take chance in the extended three-mile race as long as the ground is decent.

Tullamore Dew proved he stays the longer distance when he ran a tremendous race last time at Ascot, going down by only a head to Massini's Maguire.

"At the moment he's more likely to go for the three-mile handicap," said Gifford.

"He's in the Byrne on the Thursday, and in the Festival Chase on the Tuesday which the way the weather is looking at the moment is the favourite.

"I nearly lost my voice at Ascot on the run from the last. He does tick that box now that he stays. "Ascot is a stiff three miles so it gives us another option now and I should think that is more likely where we are going unless there is a sudden downpour before Cheltenham.

"Two miles five on proper soft ground round Cheltenham would be far enough for him."