Denman faces six rivals at Kempton

Reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman will head to Kempton tomorrow for his eagerly-awaited return to action in the newly-arranged Levy Board Chase provided the meeting passes an 8am inspection.

The Aon Chase has been rescheduled as this Grade Two contest after Newbury's high-class Saturday card was abandoned due to snow on the track.

The three-miler holds its Grade Two status and will be run for the same amount of prize-money, but the entries went back to the five-day stage and declarations have had to be made again.

While Denman's part-owner Paul Barber admits Kempton is not the ideal track for his charge, who is making his seasonal reappearance after suffering from a fibrillating heart, he is just pleased he will get the chance to have a prep run before his Gold Cup defence.

'The intention is for Denman to run, weather permitting of course. The track may not be ideal but beggars can't be choosers, and we're just happy they have got the race on,' said Barber.

The Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old will face just six rivals for his comeback including the David Pipe pair of An Accordion and Madison du Berlais.

Joe Lively takes his chance for Colin Tizzard, while the field is completed by Niche Market, King George runner-up Albertas Run and 2005 Hennessy Gold Cup hero Trabolgan.

An inspection will be held at 8am on Saturday but officials remain excited and upbeat.

'The snow has turned to sleet and rain. This morning we took the covers off, the snow was falling and it was standing on the track so we had no choice but to knock today's meeting on the head,' said clerk of the course Barney Clifford.

'We put the covers back on, the track is completely covered up and there's an inspection in the morning.'

'We've got frost forecast for tonight, but I would say our prospects of racing tomorrow are very good. The covers are on, frost only down to minus two, that shouldn't be a problem. With a little bit of luck we should be fine.'