Talk of retirement is premature says trainer Nicholls

Even though the 11-year-old bled after his Kempton setback, which is normally a sign of distress, Kauto Star – the 2007 and 2009 champion – will now bid to regain his Cheltenham crown for an unprecedented second time.

"When he got back and stuck his head in the water bucket, Kauto bled from both nostrils, but I can tell you now that reports of his demise are somewhat exaggerated and there is no talk of retirement here," said Somerset-based Nicholls.

"It wasn't a big bleed but it indicates that he probably bled during the race which would not have aided his cause."

However Nicholls, after talking to Smith, is unperturbed by racing sentimentalists who would like to see Kauto Star retired gracefully.

"I have just spoken to Clive. We agreed that Saturday now gives us a bit of a challenge with the horse and hopefully we, and most importantly, the horse will rise to it," added Nicholls.

"He will be prepared for a tilt at a third Gold Cup victory in March – different ground, different track, different day. As long as he is enjoying his racing and running well, then he will continue – he is 11, not 13.

"The King George was undoubtedly a big disappointment. He was never travelling or jumping with any real fluency, but it wasn't as if he ran a poor race. It is up to me and my team to get him right for Cheltenham – and we will relish the challenge."

Nicholls also saw his lead in this season's trainers' championship, determined by prize money, nearly halved as Nicky Henderson recorded a five-timer.

As well as Long Run's heroics in the King George, Binocular, the reigning champion hurdler, returned to form with an imposing victory in the rearranged Christmas Hurdle – the final leg of an AP McCoy hat-trick.

He's now 5-2 favourite to defend the Champion Hurdle after McCoy's positive tactics saw Binocular defeat a quality field, including Donald McCain's beaten Ebor favourite Overturn, in unsuitably soft going.

"Beating hurdlers like that is what he's good at," said Henderson. "I thought this could be another day where we still might get beaten as it's a track that favours the speed horses. But to do it like that – I was really impressed.

"AP gave him a very brave, positive ride. We knew there was only going to be one pacemaker and there was a danger it was going to be a sprint. We have not ridden him that way before."

Henderson's one setback was the well-regarded Peveril's fatal, last fence fall at Warwick when in a winning position. His jockey, Malton-born Andrew Tinkler, was lucky to escape serious injury after the Trevor Hemmings-owned horse appeared to put in a short stride as he prepared to take off.

TIM Easterby trained three winners, Trustan Times, Lease Lend and Border Reiver, at Wetherby on Saturday while Tjade Collier enjoyed a welcome winner on Sue Smith's staying hurdler Lackamon.