Nicholls backs McCoy

Paul Nicholls insists Tony McCoy will keep the ride on Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup following the disappointing start to their partnership at Newbury on Saturday.

The 14-times champion jockey was riding the 10-year-old for the first time in the Aon Chase, with a view to getting to know the horse before the Festival.

All appeared to be going to plan before the turn for home, after which Denman made a costly blunder at the fourth-last fence. He then parted company with McCoy at the next fence.

The knives are out for both horse and jockey, but Nicholls is confident the pair will silence the doubters come March.

"AP did absolutely nothing wrong. I spoke to him this morning and told him not to think he'd done anything wrong," said Nicholls.

"I wouldn't let him sit on him at home as it's just the nature of the beast - he wouldn't be impressed.

"The mistake four out could have happened to anybody so AP will ride him at Cheltenham and you'll see a different horse.

"It's all about jumping and Denman made a mistake, but don't write him off and he'll be back at Cheltenham.

"He ate up last night and is 100% sound this morning, which is good news.

"I was very happy with him until four out and the race went exactly how we thought it would.

"The mistake at the fourth-last cost him his chance and it's as simple as that.

"He landed awkwardly, went out to the left, and the race was over then.

"There are a couple of things to remember - he's a month off being anywhere near as good as he was in the Hennessy, both mentally and physically.

"And it was a trial, not the real thing.

"I think you'd have found yesterday that if he'd jumped the fourth-last, he would have picked up and gone on and won the race."