RACING:With the weather forecast to take a turn for the worse in the next few days, Paul Nicholls has underlined he will not rush into making a decision on when or where Denman will return.
Although last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero is still on course for Newbury’s Aon Chase on Saturday week, the recent wet spell and the promise of cold conditions next week could turn the ground against his star stayer.
Nicholls has entered the nine-year-old for the Irish Hennessy 24 hours after the Newbury race and a trip to Ascot or Wincanton is also an option.
However, the Ditcheat maestro is keen to do what is best for the horse following his heart problems and Denman could bypass all those engagements if conditions are not right.
“We could do with a dry spell and we will have to see what the weather does,” he said. “Denman is entered in Ireland on the Sunday - I don’t really want to go there and I suppose there is the Ascot Chase or coming to Wincanton for the CGA Chase.
“So there are a couple of options, but if he were to go straight to the Gold Cup without a run, so be it.”
Denman, who has been off the track since his Gold Cup win last March, is the general 7-4 favourite for a repeat victory.