Soccer:History-seeking Denman takes on 18 rivals in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday. The 2008 Gold Cup winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, is vying to become the first horse to win the prestigious handicap for a third time. Denman's presence at the summit of the weights at 11st 12lb means just six other runners are in the handicap proper.
Nicholls is responsible for two of those - Neptune Collonges (10st 8lb) and Taranis (10st 4lb) - while China Rock (10st 4lb) is a surprise entry.
Mouse Morris said yesterday that the seven-year-old was not firing on every cylinder, and would not be travelling across from Ireland. Morris has nonetheless given him a provisional engagement after the Grade Two winner has shown signs of improvement over the last 24 hours.
"I declared him just to see what would happen, but at the minute it's 50-50 he'll run. It's only a minor problem and he's improved since Wednesday, but we're still undecided if he'll actually run or not," said the County Tipperary handler.
The 2008 Hennessy winner Madison Du Berlais (10st 1lb) and Silver By Nature (10st) also compete off their correct weight. Nicky Henderson's Barbers Shop was expected to head to Newcastle on Saturday but has been rerouted to Newbury, where he, too, will run off 10st.
The remainder of the Hennessy aspirants are running from out of the handicap, with a strong Nicholls team completed by The Tother One and Niche Market. Henderson also has high hopes for the laudably consistent Burton Port, now the intended mount of Barry Geraghty following the uncertain participation of China Rock.
Weird Al and Diamond Harry should have droves of supporters given their progressive profiles, with the Mark Bradstock-trained Carruthers a similarly popular figure in the line-up. Big Fella Thanks, owned by Harry Findlay and now in the care of Ferdy Murphy, and Hey Big Spender could clash again after the latter seized the day by a length at Carlisle earlier this month.
Welsh National winner Dream Alliance was pulled up on his last two starts but remains in the hunt for the Philip Hobbs operation. Irish hopes also revolve around three-time Grade One winner Pandorama, trained by Noel Meade, with Dessie Hughes' Rare Bob the sole defector.
Man-of-the-moment Nigel Twiston-Davies goes to war with Razor Royale, last season's Racing Post Chase winner, with Hills Of Aran also engaged for Welsh handler Keith Goldsworthy.