Racing: Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman continues to please Paul Nicholls as he recovers from treatment to remedy an irregular heartbeat.
The eight-year-old has not been seen since the Festival and since his problem was spotted in September, Nicholls has always had the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 7th as his likely starting point but part-owner Paul Barber had mentioned a possible tilt at the Peter Marsh at Haydock in January.
However, Nicholls said: "There's just nothing for him so I've still got in my mind the Aon as a target and whether we run before that I don't know, I've even suggested to Paul Barber giving him a run over hurdles to sharpen him up a bit before the Aon. In all probability his first run will be the Aon."
The champion trainer went on: "He's just quite not ready and there wasn't an obvious race for him yet. He wouldn't have been ready for the Lexus but he's working along nicely and I'm very, very happy with him.
"Without a doubt he is showing me at home that he retains all his old ability. I've got no doubt whatsoever and if we didn't know he'd had a problem we wouldn't even be questioning it.
"But he has to do it on the track otherwise there'll always be a doubt in people's mind."
Despite his absence Denman remains the 11-8 favourite with sponsors totesport for the Gold Cup in March.
The trainer also confirmed Neptune Collonges remains on target for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday week.
The seven-year-old has won the last two renewals of the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival and was beaten only a short-head behind stablemate Kauto Star in third at Cheltenham, but Nicholls still thinks he has some way to go before he can be mentioned in the same breath as current champion Denman.
Nicholls said: "To beat a fully fit Denman he would have to improve on what he has done so far, but that is quite possible. Until Denman runs and some of the others run it will all be speculation but he's certainly in good order and we are looking forward to running him next week."
The trainer continued: "He's never one that impresses at home, he's very workmanlike, and sometimes you'd think he's achieved as much as he's ever likely to but until he runs you never know with him."
Tatenen, the ante-post favourite for the Arkle, will take his chance in the Grade One Durkan New Homes Novice Chase on St Stephen's Day.
Nicholls said Natal will contest the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown on December 27th.
Twist Magic is another among the 11 possibles but Natal, runner-up to his stablemate in the Kerrygold Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival is an intended starter.
The seven-year-old unseated Nick Schofield on his last start in the Peterborough Chase, but Nicholls added: "Natal definitely goes for the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase, while Twist Magic is a possible."
He added: "Natal was unseated last week and there is no more to say as he only went four fences - he's fine and the intention is to run.
"He's won on all sorts of ground and horses like him are not too fussy so Leopardstown should be fine.
"He's quite versatile regarding trip he ran quite well at Punchestown in the spring and in a Sandown handicap (both over two miles).
"He'll have an entry in the Champion Chase and at Punchestown in the spring. He's right up the handicap and not easy to place but we'll see what he can do.
"Twist Magic is a possible for the Dial-A-Bet, but if it came up very soft at Leopardstown, he also has the option of Kempton. I will discuss it with the owners."