Nicholls cool on Denman chances

Paul Nicholls has played down Denman's chances in Saturday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, saying the top weight will do well to just finish in the places.

Denman carried 11st 12lb to win the Hennessy two years ago, but he has risen up the weights since winning the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

It means that Denman must give away 12lb and more to his rivals in Saturday's race and, despite being in good form, Nicholls thinks it will be a tough task to win.

The nine-year-old has enjoyed an un-interrupted preparation for this season, which has come as a welcome relief to Nicholls after Denman's struggles in his last campaign.

"It is almost like last year didn't happen with Denman and he is back to where he was two years ago," said Nicholls.

Well handicapped

"You have to remember that he was well-handicapped when he won the Hennessy and he is a lot higher this year after winning the Gold Cup that year, but if he runs like he did in last year's Gold Cup he must have a great chance.

"My feeling, and I may be wrong, is that he will run a sound race on Saturday to finish fourth or fifth.

"I did think that coming into this race two years ago and he won. He was well handicapped then, but I am not so sure now.

"He'll then go back to a Grade One in the Lexus Chase and have a big chance and obviously the Gold Cup is his big target."

Denman came back from a heart problem to finish second to Kauto Star in the Gold Cup last March and his trainer will also be represented in the Hennessy by What A Friend and My Will.

Good bet

The first-named is part-owned by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and is disputing second-favouritism at around the 6-1 mark with Barbers Shop.

"We backed him at 12-1 the other week," Nicholls added. "He was a good bet then and he is 6-1 now.

"He has got 10st 4lb and we have thought ever since the end of last season that this would be the race for him first time up.

"He goes well fresh, beat Carruthers in soft ground first time up last year, has won three out of four over fences and is in really good order at the moment."

Nicholls' other representative is My Will (10st 9lb), who finished fifth in both the Hennessy and Gold Cup last season.

"He ran nicely in Ireland the other day behind the The Listener but doesn't want the ground as it was that day and if it keeps raining here, the ground will go against him."