Officials at Cheltenham feel it would be “terrific” if Denman graced their Festival Trials Day meeting on Saturday.
Denman- 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner
The possibility of the 2008 totesport Gold Cup winner warming up for another clash with his stablemate and dual victor Kauto Star in the Argento Chase has fuelled even more anticipation ahead of the weekend fixture.
“It would be terrific if Denman were to come here on Saturday. We will just have to wait, but we are very much looking forward to the meeting,” said clerk of the course Simon Claisse.
The going is currently now described as soft after being soft, heavy in places following a dry night.
“We’re dry and cloudy today. I’ve taken the heavy in places out and it is now soft throughout,” Claisse went on.
“However, we are expecting between four and six millimetres of rain, sleet and snow – getting colder towards the end of the week.
“Frost covers are likely to go down on Thursday or Friday.”
Nicholls admitted to being “dead keen” to run Denman on Saturday – but a final decision will not be made until later in the week.
The 10-year-old had long been thought likely to have his final race before a third crack at the blue riband in the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 13, a track where he is unbeaten and has won two Hennessys.
“I am dead keen to run if Paul (Barber, joint owner) wants to go because he is ready to run. I’m just amazed how quick he has come to hand. He did a great bit of work on Saturday,” Nicholls told the Daily Mail.
“I think Paul always prefers to go to Newbury because he has done so well there. The last thing we want to do is give him a really hard race before the Gold Cup so it would help if it is a dry week because the ground can get really testing at this Cheltenham meeting.”
Barber told the Daily Telegraph:
“Paul is still looking at the options, but I can assure you that Denman is in particularly fine order. He worked very, very well last week, and Paul said he thought he was better than when he went to the Hennessy. Paul told me ‘I’m now putting him in tick-over mode’. The weather can really mess up plans, and you have to explore all possibilities. Denman loves Newbury. He would have a serious gallop before that. To be honest, I’m looking forward to it, to taking on Kauto Star again at Cheltenham (in the Gold Cup). And I can tell you one thing about Denman at present, his coat is gleaming and he’s got a bright eye.”
Will Denman Run at Cheltenham?
Paul Nicholls is “dead keen” to run Denman in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday – but a final decision will not be made until later in the week.
The 2008 Gold Cup hero has long been thought likely to have his final race before a third crack at the blue riband in the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 13, a track where he is unbeaten and has won two Hennessys.
“I am dead keen to run if Paul (Barber, joint owner) wants to go because he is ready to run. I’m just amazed how quick he has come to hand. He did a great bit of work on Saturday,” Nicholls told the Daily Mail.
“I think Paul always prefers to go to Newbury because he has done so well there.
“The last thing we want to do is give him a really hard race before the Gold Cup so it would help if it is a dry week because the ground can get really testing at this Cheltenham meeting.”
Barber told the Daily Telegraph: “Paul is still looking at the options, but I can assure you that Denman is in particularly fine order. He worked very, very well last week, and Paul said he thought he was better than when he went to the Hennessy.
“Paul told me ‘I’m now putting him in tick-over mode’. The weather can really mess up plans, and you have to explore all possibilities.
“Denman loves Newbury. He would have a serious gallop before that. To be honest, I’m looking forward to it, to taking on Kauto Star again at Cheltenham (in the Gold Cup). And I can tell you one thing about Denman at present, his coat is gleaming and he’s got a bright eye.”
