Kauto Star has been ruled fit for the Cheltenham Gold Cup following an injury scare in the aftermath of his easy win in the final warm-up race at Ascot.
The defending Gold Cup champion was found to have a back foot problem but vets drained pus and cleared up a small infection on Sunday morning.
Kauto Star will take on stable-mate Denman in the 14 March Gold Cup.
"Panic 100% over," trainer Paul Nicholls gleefully explained: "It's basically pus in his foot. Once the vet and my head lad had released that he was virtually sound.
"We were quite confident last night as we took his shoe off and that instantly relieved him a bit, so we thought that was what the problem was."
Some bookmakers had suspended betting on the Gold Cup after rumours began circulating following Kauto Star's impressive victory in the Commercial First Ascot Chase on Saturday that the eight-year-old had suffered a sprained fetlock.
But Nicholls said: "After a quiet 48 hours, which he would have had anyway [after his win at Ascot], he should be fine.
"He is back on course to defend his crown next month."
The Big G
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