Nicholls happy with Hennessy quintet

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is pleased with his five-strong team ahead of the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

Top-weight Denman is joined by stablemates Neptune Collonges, Taranis, Niche Market and The Tother One in Saturday's showpiece, and Denman has been in fine form at home according to his trainer.

He told Racing UK: "He seems in good order, very well in himself at the moment - hopefully that's not a bad sign. He does like the track bar that hiccup in February.

"But I learnt a lesson from that as he needs to be right on top of his game when he runs not a litttle bit under-done. He doesn't know he's off 182 and he's carrying the same weight as last year," he added.

Although 8lb higher than when winning this race for the second time 12 months ago, Nicholls is not too concerned.

He said: "You could argue with so many out of the handicap that he's not that badly treated. It's not as difficult a task because he's keeping so many out of the handicap."

Whilst very happy with his work ahead of Saturday, Nicholls was keen to stress the competitive nature of the race.

"There are a lot of good horses in the race, it's a cracker. It's always a really good race for second season novices and there are some very good second season novices lurking amongst their rivals," he added.

Neptune Collonges has been off the track since March 2009, and the Ditcheat handler is concerned that he may need the run.

Nicholls said: "I've done lots of work with him at home and he looks well. I may be wrong, and he's certainly as fit as Taranis was when he went and won first time out last year, but I think the run will bring him on.

"Taranis showed last year that he's no back number. 10st4lb looks a nice weight for him and the track might just suit."

Niche Market is making his first start for the trainer but his main objective is in the spring.

"His owner sent him to me in the summer. He said he wanted him to run in the Hennessy because he ran so well last year. But his big target is the Grand National," Nicholls explained.

His quintet is completed by The Tother One who runs in the colours of Graham Roach.

"His form's alright actually if you look at Nacarat's run on Saturday. He ran really well in the Charlie Hall which is a good trial for Saturday and he has a light weight.

"He's one of a number of horses in there with a shout. There are twenty-odd runners and there's an awful lot of horses with big chances."