PAUL NICHOLLS said he was “disappointed” by a report in a Sunday newspaper that Tony McCoy will ride Denman in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Kauto Star v Denman clash is on for 2010

The article, by Jonathan Powell in the Mail On Sunday, quoted Denman’s part-owner Paul Barber as saying: “If Ruby Walsh opts for Kauto Star at Cheltenham, we intend to go for the next best jockey, simple as that.”

But McCoy was quoted as saying he had received no approach from Barber or Nicholls, and the trainer said on Sunday: “People can speculate as much as they want, but I have made no decision about jockey arrangements for the Gold Cup and I would be crazy to do so with Cheltenham still two months away.

“A football manager does not name his team for the FA Cup final eight weeks before the match and it’s no different to my situation. You wait until nearer the day and you then ask two questions: one, who is fit? And two, who is available?”

He went on: “I know what Paul [Barber] said to Jonathan [Powell], and what he actually said was, “We intend to go for the next-best jockey who is available at the time”. And how can we possibly know who is available this far in advance?

“Jockeys can get hurt, God forbid; horses can run below form or get injured – so much can happen, and it would be pointless my making a decision about Denman now, based on who Ruby may or may not ride in the Gold Cup.

“I feel under no pressure whatsoever on this matter. I will make an announcement when I feel the time is right and appropriate.”

It hasyet to be decided where Denman will make his next appearance. Both the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 13 and the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown six days earlier are under consideration, while the Letheby and Christopher Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in 12 days’ time is also a possibility.

Nicholls stressed: “It’s important to keep all our options open.”