Main Man Denman Top Of The Class

Denman passed his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup mock exam with flying colours as he pulverised the opposition in the Aon Chase at Newbury.

Paul Nicholls' eight-year-old was trimmed into 7-4 from 15-8 by the sponsors, while Coral go 11-8 and Ladbrokes offer 2-1.

The Harrow-based firm make Denman's stablemate Kauto Star ? who will warm up for the Festival at Ascot next weekend ? their 11-10 favourite for the March 14 race.

Denman, sent off the 1-4 favourite, was near faultless in his 20-length thrashing of Regal Heights.

The mount of Sam Thomas only made two slight errors before putting daylight between himself and his three rivals down the home straight.

Nicholls said: "That was just what we wanted and he has done exactly what we expected him to.

"I couldn't be more pleased with him and we know he'll improve a fair bit for that. It will just tighten him up and he was having a blow afterwards.

"Sam says he was taking the mickey out of him most of the way around.

"He will just keep improving ? mind you he will need to. But he is good and is going the right way very quickly.

"That will be it now and we'll ready him at home for five weeks on Friday."

Thomas, who will partner Denman in the Gold Cup after stable jockey Ruby Walsh plumped for Kauto Star, added: "It was perfect and exactly how I imagined it would be. He jumped perfectly and travelled really well.

"He had to win like that if he's going to go to the Gold Cup as the second favourite.

"There will be a pair of exceptional horses turning up on the day.

"He tries, he jumps and is enthusiastic about everything.

"He was racing on down to the open-ditch and went a bit long but he knows what he is doing as he is that class and he can get away with it.

"He can get a little idle out in front but he just outclassed his rivals today.

"Hopefully me and the horse ? and Ruby and Kauto ? can stay in one piece for the next five weeks."

Part-owner and renowned gambler Harry Findlay helped himself to the long odds-on about the favourite and thought his charge was a certainty to see off his three rivals.

Findlay said: "That performance smacked of a horse who is ready to race in a proper race and next month he will get it.

"Today was an incredible price for punters and there was real value ? I hope they steamed in like I did.

"I am so glad him and Kauto Star are in the same stable as so often in the past we have had sporting clashes where things have been different but these guys will get the same treatment and preparation.

"Everything will be done right and the Gold Cup will be great for the sport."

(C) PA Sport