Favourite Denman Must Emulate Trabolgan

Denman has been installed as the 4-1 favourite by totesport for Saturday's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, despite having to carry top weight.

Paul Nicholls' second-season chaser, who bounded to victory in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, will be making his seasonal reappearance in the Newbury showpiece.

The seven-year-old, who has only lost once in 10 races under Rules, will bid to emulate Trabolgan in 2005 who also shouldered top-weight to victory, the first since Burrough Hill Lad in 1984 to do so.

Trabolgan had also won the same Cheltenham event on his previous start.

'To win a race as competitive as the Hennessy Gold Cup ? carrying 11st 12lb and off a mark of 161 ? Denman would have to put in a performance that in most seasons would be up there with winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup,' said totesport spokesman Damian Walker.

'It is not surprising then that his price for both races is almost identical ? 4-1 to land the Hennessy Gold Cup and 9-2 to do the business at Cheltenham next March.

'Saturday's race will go a long way to telling us if Denman is the real deal and a worthy challenger to Kauto Star and Exotic Dancer.'

Denman will be ridden by man of the moment Sam Thomas, and fresh from his successes on Kauto Star and Mr Pointment last weekend, he is just hoping his golden spell continues.

Thomas said: 'I'm really looking forward to him and he worked well at Exeter last week.

'After the weekend that's just gone it's just amazing (to have this ride),' he told At The Races.

'He's well and although it's his first run of the season, there is no reason why he can't go and run his race.'

(C) PA Sport