Kauto Odds-On In Gold Match

William Hill have opened up a market on who will come out on top between the two Paul Nicholls big guns, Kauto Star and Denman, in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The bookmakers make the current champion 8-13 favourite to beat his stable companion, with Denman at 6-5.

But the firm have scrapped their market on who they think Ruby Walsh will choose to ride, believing that he almost already has one leg up on Kauto Star.

However, Nicholls says he has yet to have the conversation with his stable jockey.

'It would be hard to get him off Kauto Star, but we haven't had the discussion yet,' said Nicholls.

'We've got a few weeks to go yet, so let's get them out of the way first and make a plan from there but no decision has been made yet.

'I don't agree with people who say that Kauto will win on good ground and Denman will win it on soft.

'Kauto doesn't mind soft ground, when he won at Haydock the ground was soft but he has won on decent ground as well, it is the same with Denman.

'Before Denman ever ran he had a breathing operation so he wouldn't want it too deep, especially around Cheltenham, so the ground is not an issue in my book with either horse.

'I don't agree that Denman has more stamina either, Kauto has looked more and more a stayer this year, he's won all his races by staying on and there has been no stamina issue with him at all,' he told Racing UK.

(C) PA Sport