RACING:Denman will be freshened up and prepared to defend his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown without another outing after suffering a rare reverse on his seasonal debut at Kempton. His 23-length defeat by Madison Du Berlais was the nine-year-old's first loss over fences in 10 starts, and saw him deposed at the head of the betting for the blue riband.
His stablemate and 2007 winner Kauto Star replaced him as favourite in the ante-post markets, but Nicholls reports the 13-times winner to have emerged from his first outing in 11 months in good order.
Nicholls said: “He has come out of the race fine. His heart was checked after the race was that was normal and he ate up last night.
“I’ve of the same opinion as Saturday about his run in that it was a satisfactory comeback but he does need to improve. The plan is no different as if he had won and we will prepare him for Cheltenham now.”
However, his defeat has not made a tilt at the Grand National any more or less likely, with the weights for the world-famous handicap set to be unveiled in London on Tuesday.
“I am not going to rule the National in or out,” Nicholls added. He has an entry and I will discuss it with (owners) Paul Barber and Harry Findlay. We will have to see how he is this week and how things work out.”