Denman pleases in gallop

Gold Cup winner on course for repeat bid

Last updated: 15th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kauto Star Paul Nicholls holds Gold Cup Denman Neptunes Collonges

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Denman remains on course for a return to action at Newbury next month but could still bid for a repeat of last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup win without a prep race.

The nine-year-old has not been seen in action since March after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat in the autumn, and has been eased back into work by trainer Paul Nicholls.

Denman was asked to do his first serious gallop under Ruby Walsh on Wednesday and was reported to have passed the test with flying colours.

"He did everything right," Nicholls told the Daily Mail. "It's part of his training and quite hard work.

"I wanted to see if we could get him tired, which we didn't. (Joint-owner) Paul Barber's big smile said it all."

Denman's first assignment since his Cheltenham Festival success last March is likely to be the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 7.

"It's all positive but he has got to do it on the track," added the Ditcheat handler.

"I wouldn't lose an enormous amount of sleep if I didn't run him before Cheltenham. He won the Hennessy first time out."