Denman starts Gold Cup build up

Published at Jan 12, 2011, 13:09

Denman is back cantering as connections prepare him for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Paul Nicholls' charge won chasing's blue riband in 2008 and will head straight to Prestbury Park after running a huge race under a big weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

"Denman had a nice break after the Hennessy. He's just started out again and had his first canter on Tuesday for a long while. He'll now be cantering every day and be sharpened up for Cheltenham," the champion trainer told At The Races.

"We proved last year by running him in the Aon (Newbury) not fully wound-up it wasn't the right thing to do.

"He wants to be at his very best and it's pointless having him at his best a month before the Gold Cup. Realistically it's his last chance of running at his very best this year.

"We're going to give him every chance and have him as good as we can on the day, so that's what we are aiming to do."

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