KAUTO STAR SET TO RESUME LIGHT DUTIES

Clive Smith has issued an update on dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star.

Owner Smith's star has not won since November 2010, and was last seen pulling up in the Guiness Gold Cup at Punchestown won by Follow The Plan.

After a summer break, the 11-year-old is set to return to light duties at Paul Nicholls' yard.

Smith told At The Races: "He came out of his field on Monday and will go into light training.

"Clifford Baker knows him well and if he (Kauto Star) gives him the right signs then we'll look for a race for him, but he certainly won't be pushed too far.

"If he gives any sort of sign that he's had enough then he'll retire him straight away."

Winner of 21 of his 38 starts, the French import fell in the 2010 renewal of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and then found Nicky Henderson's Long Run, as well as stablemate Denman, too strong last March.

Henderson's charge has been billed as the future of National Hunt racing, and Smith believes that he is good enough to match Kauto Star's achievements.

"I think Long Run can emulate him", explained Smith.

"The one thing I'm not sure about is his jumping but he raised his game in the Gold Cup and he's obviously a very, very talented horse."

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