RACING: Paul Nicholls feels Kauto Star has "every chance" of reversing totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup form with Denman in March.
The Ditcheat handler saddled the first three home in last year's epic contest, with Denman powering to a seven-length victory over his stablemate and Neptune Collonges.
Yet Denman, a winner of 13 of his 14 races, has been off the track since after successfully recovering from an irregular heartbeat.
In contrast, Kauto Star has added two more Grade One contests to his haul, including a third win in the Stan James King George VI Chase.
Denman will go to the AON Chase at Newbury on February 7th in preparation for the Gold Cup with his stablemate going straight to the Festival.
And Nicholls thinks their differing preparations could make all the difference.
"Kauto must have every chance (of reversing form with Denman)," he said. "With Denman coming off the back of an injury scare he's got it all to prove, where as Kauto's won a King George and a Grade One in Ireland.
"Kauto's obviously a better horse fresh so we'll take him to Cheltenham without another run."
With Denman's comeback run a month away Nicholls reported an upbeat bulletin on his preparation.
"Denman's fine and I'm very happy with him. We hope his run in the AON will get him back in the form of his life," he added on sportinglife.com.
Denman is a 6-4 chance with Sky Bet to retain the Gold Cup with Kauto Star avaliable at 5-2.