Ditcheat trainer Paul Nicholls has every confidence in Kauto Star – despite testing ground in Northern Ireland ahead of today's JNwine.com Champion Chase.

With stablemate and Gold Cup conqueror Denman set to be on the sidelines for a few months, the Down Royal event offers the previous year's Cheltenham winner a fine chance to demonstrate his own well-being.

Rider Ruby Walsh cantered the eight-year-old around the track yesterday as they prepared for their first outing together since defeat to Our Vic in the totesport Bowl at Aintree.

Regular traveller The Listener will be Kauto Star's chief opponent, with a field of just five set to face the starter.

"He has won enough times on the soft ground and it's not like going to Cheltenham on the soft over three-and-a-quarter miles in the Gold Cup," said Nicholls.

"We've got to start him off somewhere and this race fits into our plans as it is three weeks before Haydock (Betfair Chase).

"We won the race last year with Taranis but that was a different race on fast ground. The Listener loves soft ground but he'd have to produce a career-best to beat him.

"He's had plenty of time off and he hasn't shown anything at home to suggest he is not at his usual level."

Walsh confirmed Kauto Star's well-being following a light workout.

He said: "We were cantering on the inside of the hurdle track, which will be a bit softer than the chase track. But he looks well, is in great nick and it's fingers crossed for Saturday.

"He came over on Thursday, we brought him out on Friday morning and he'll have a canter again on Saturday morning.

"He's in great nick and he seems to be holding his condition. Hopefully he can hold on to his form. He's a wonderful horse and hopefully he'll show that on Saturday.

"Irish ground can get a bit softer than in England but it will be the same for the five of them. He should handle it and I hope it doesn't turn into an absolute slog and bottom everything, that's all."

Last year's Grand National third Snowy Morning was the notable absentee from the final declarations, with trainer Willie Mullins deciding the ground was too soft for him to make his first appearance of the new season today.