Nicholls trained the first three home in this year's Gold Cup

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Paul Nicholls has given a strong hint his horses Denman and Kauto Star will meet again in next year's race.

Denman romped to victory in the most anticipated race of the Festival.

And Nicholls said: "It would be nice to have a rematch. Kauto was beaten (into second) by seven lengths but he could turn that around on different ground.

"It is unlikely they will meet again before then - Kauto's target is the King George which won't suit Denman."

Nicholls confirmed Denman, who is being lined up to defend the Lexus Chase in December, will not run again this season, but Kauto Star may race at the Grand National meeting at Aintree next month.

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"There is the Melling Chase and the Betfair Bowl at Aintree and he is still in the Betfred Gold Cup, but we will just have to wait and see," he said.

Meanwhile, Nicholls paraded his Cheltenham Gold Cup trio of Denman, Kauto Star and third-placed Neptune Collonges through the streets of Somerset village Ditcheat, where his stable is, on Saturday.

The trio were joined by stablemates, Champion Chase winner Master Minded and Triumph Hurdle victor Celestial Halo, as hundreds of locals turned out to congratulate them.