Racing: Nicholls has Newbury target for Kauto Star

Kauto Star, ante-post favourite for the high-profile Victor Chandler Chase at Cheltenham later this month, has been ruled out of the race by trainer Paul Nicholls. The six-year-old is favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the festival in March, but would have had to carry top weight of 11st 10lb in the forthcoming handicap after his impressive Tingle Creek Trophy last month.

Nicholls will re-route his rising star to the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury next month. "He has had a little holiday since Sandown and has only just started working again," he said yesterday. Nicholls is still likely to be represented in the Victor Chandler as he has four entries, including Saturday's winner Armaturk.