Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has admitted he is "not as keen as he was" to continue the amazing career of Kauto Star.

The 12-year-old bounced back to his brilliant best last season to win a fourth Betfair Chase and a record-breaking fifth King George VI Chase.

He then suffered a schooling fall when being prepared for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and faced a race against time to make the race.

Kauto Star ran but was pulled up before halfway.

No final decision has been made on his racing future, as Nicholls has yet to sit down with owner Clive Smith to make the call.

"It's a difficult one, he's in good shape, we need to have a sit down and a serious talk with Clive and see what he wants to do and then get in bed with what Clifford (Baker, head lad) and I want to do and we've got to meet in the middle," Nicholls told Racing UK.

"Last year I was keen to run him, I thought he could win another one or two - I'm not saying he couldn't win another race, but I'm not as keen as I was.

"He's achieved so much you just think what else can he do, you don't want to take any chances with him.

"Every day they exercise you are always taking a chance so we'll just see.

"We said we'll see how the next month went and then make a decision and let everybody know."