Kauto Star on parade at Cheltenham

Kauto Star will be appreciated as a champion by the Cheltenham faithful when he returns to lead out the Gold Cup field on Friday, just as he was a year ago when Ruby Walsh walked him away from the course and his racing life.

Looking sleeker than he was as a jumper, due to different exercise and nutrition, Kauto Star offered composed walks, trots and canter. Only eight weeks into his tuition, Breisner reported he already has more to his repertoire, such as sideways movement, that he did not show off this time. "He's not going to be a Grand Prix horse, but there's no reason why he can't learn more," Collett adds. "The aim is if he is capable, he'll go for a few a competitions, but if he isn't, he won't. There's no pressure on him, as he doesn't owe anyone anything." Smith admits to have become a dressage fanatic himself since also learning from scratch. "I really love it," he says. "I wanted Kauto to be given the chance to be given an interest, do different things and use his brain. They say you can tell in a few days if they take to it, and he has just kept progressing. "Yogi says he could be doing dressage when he's 25. He's only 13 and I think people are happier seeing him doing something."