Paul Nicholls believes that it will take a sensational performance to stop Kauto Star landing his third Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month.

The superstar chaser became the first horse to ever regain the Gold Cup last March and the trainer is full of confidence ahead of his trip to jumping HQ.

"Kauto is well and looks fantastic in his coat," explained Nicholls.

"As last year, he hasn't ran since the King George and will go to Cheltenham fresh and well.

"He improved enormously from his first run at Haydock to the King George and you don't want them at their best in their trials.

"He is the best he has ever been and if he turns up at Cheltenham at the top of his game, then it will be a momentous performance by anything to beat him, be that Denman or whoever."

Paul Nicholls also had news on this year’s jockey bookings and while Ruby Walsh will ride Kauto Star and Tony McCoy will be aboard Denman, Sam Thomas will take the ride on Tricky Trickster with Barry Geraghty looking likely to ride either My Will or Taranis.

Nicholls continued: "My Will has been out of form a little but all his best performances have come on good ground and he has been running on soft.

"The Grand National has been his target all season and he will run in the Gold Cup on his way to Aintree.

"I was particularly pleased with Taranis' win in the Pillar as when they have had leg trouble, they are hard to get fit.

"If he runs like that in the Gold Cup then he has a definite chance of being placed."

Paddy Power currently make Kauto Star their 8/11 market leader for this year’s Gold Cup and punters are advised to take advantage of the Irish firms free £50 bet they are offering to new customers.