Aintree comeback for Kauto Star

Kauto Star saw his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown snatched by Denman

Trainer Paul Nicholls has confirmed that Kauto Star and Master Minded will both run at this week's Aintree's Grand National meeting.

Kauto Star has been entered in Thursday's totesport Bowl over three miles and a furlong.

It will be his first outing since finishing second to Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup earlier this month.

Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded will run in Friday's John Smith's Melling Chase.

The five-year-old will face a maximum of 13 rivals in the race on his step back up to two and a half miles, having finished second over that trip in a Grade One event at Auteuil - his last run in France - when he was ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Both Kauto Star and Master Minded were put through their paces at Nicholls's Ditcheat stables on Saturday morning before the decision was made with owner Clive Smith to send both to Aintree.

Nicholls said: "Kauto worked really well with Andreas, who's likely to run in the Red Rum Handicap Chase rather than the Melling.

"I wanted to work Kauto with something sharp, and Clifford, (Baker, head lad) was very happy with him.

"I passed on the news to Clive and told him the more I look at the totesport Bowl the more I think he'll run a fantastic race. There is no reason not to run him."