Denman back on track for Gold Cup

Trainer Paul Nicholls has issued an upbeat bulletin on last year's Gold Cup winner Denman on his intended defence of the crown at Cheltenham on March 13.

Denman, watched by his joint-owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, jumped ten fences on grass in company with Dear Villez and Eurotrek and left trainer Paul Nicholls much happier than he had been after his previous school last Friday.

Nicholls said: "That was the first time Denman has schooled on grass here since his novice days. We stopped doing that after he used to tank off and behave a bit stupid.

"We normally jump him in the outdoor school, but he didn't please us in there on Friday morning; for some reason he doesn't seem to like it any more.

"But he jumped ten fences this morning and went really well - he was full of enthusiasm. It left us very positive.

"That followed on from a good piece of work he did with What A Friend on Saturday morning, so it's onwards and upwards with him."

Denman's part-owner Harry Findlay is now also feeling much more optimistic about the nine-year-old's Cheltenham Gold Cup defence.

Denman, who suffered heart problems at the start of the season, made a less than a spectacular comeback when a distant second at Kempton last month and Findlay had expressed doubts last week that Denman would even line up at Cheltenham on Friday week, but his latest schooling session left him feeling much happier about his prospects.

"He worked well on Saturday morning on the all-weather gallop, but this morning was much more important as the plan was always to school him over the outdoor fences," said Findlay.

"I think lethargy as much as anything has been the problem with Denman, certainly with those first couple of fences at Kempton, so today was very important.

"Sam [Thomas] rode him and he worked with Dear Villez and Eurotrek, going over a couple of fences four or five times.

"He looked really enthusiastic, jumped very well and the last couple of times he seemed to have plenty of zip between the obstacles.

"The best thing about it for everyone was the enthusiasm he showed. He is a real character but he looked very happy this morning and barring any accident, he will be a runner in the Gold Cup.