A decision will be made on Monday regarding Kauto Star's participation in next Friday's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer Paul Nicholls confirmed last week that the 12-year-old was a doubt for the Festival's headline race following a heavy fall when schooling.

Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith has now revealed that a final decision will be made on Monday after the gelding had shown a number of promising signs.

Smith said: "He's coming along nicely now and is almost back to normal. We're nearly there, I think.

"The decision on whether he runs or not will be made on Monday, not Friday.

"Paul has said the he will school him on the grass gallops at home, as he has done every year before Cheltenham, and after he's done that the decision will be announced."

Kauto Star has won the Gold Cup on two occasions.