SHEPTON MALLET, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Paul Nicholls poses with Kauto Star on February 21, 2011 in Shepton Mallet, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images)
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Paul Nicholls has cancelled a Cheltenham Festival media day after the legendary trainer admitted some of his horses are coughing.
Nicholls had been due to welcome the media to his Ditcheat yard on Wednesday but he has revealed that the even has to be called off and it will worry his followers ahead of next month’s meeting.
The trainer explained: "It is fairly obvious that we had a moderate weekend. We have several horses coughing and my first priority is to the owners in my yard.
"It is my duty to leave no stone unturned now as we prepare for the last three weeks before The Festival and, in these circumstances, we do not feel it is appropriate to invite the media on Wednesday.
"I am very sorry for any inconvenience this causes, but I hope that all concerned will understand that my horses and owners must come first."
Talking about the wellbeing of Gold Cup contender Kauto Star, owner Clive Smith explained:vv"I talked to Paul on Sunday night and everything is fine with Kauto Star as far as we know.
"Obviously Paul's got an outbreak and one or two of his horses have got it, but hopefully it won't affect Kauto Star. We won't know until it either comes out or if he doesn't get it.
"I hope he doesn't get it as it might interrupt his programme. The Gold Cup is not far away now - it's three weeks on Friday."
