Denman Cheltenham Gold Cup

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The Denman Cheltenham Gold Cup is next on the agenda for the Paul Nicholls trained horse who beat off his rivals in the Lexus Chase. Denman is a worthy second-favourite for the Gold Cup at odds of 2/1 for the Cheltenham Festival feature on the fourth day of the festival. The Lexus was run at a steady pace which was pretty sensible and Ruby Walsh decided to take it up as early as the third fence. As usual Denman attacked his fences with some relish and even reached for a couple but as usual travelled and galloped like a good horse but was made to work by some decent horses and this was the sort of test to more realistically gauge his Cheltenham aspirations rather than the romp he enjoyed in a handicap a month ago.

He responded well as both Mossbank and The Listener both attempted to throw down challenges after the second last, and it was workmanlike performance rather than a routing of his opposition as he did in the Hennessey. He will relish ground conditions if they come up soft in the Gold Cup in March, but he will still find it tough to beat off Kautoe Star who is a real super star.

Previous Cheltenham Festival News:

Cheltenham Gold Cup Ante Post Betting without Kauto Star and Denman	31 Dec 2007
Franchoek Back on Top	28 Dec 2007
Kauto Star One in a Million	28 Dec 2007
Lough Derg to Take on the World	23 Dec 2007
Jack The Giant Booked for Ryanair	23 Dec 2007
Hardy Eustace for the AIG Hurdle	22 Dec 2007
Black Jack Rethink	22 Dec 2007
Deep Purple a Handful	21 Dec 2007
Hobbs Hill Cheltenham Festival Dilemma	21 Dec 2007
Cork All Star For Leopardstown	20 Dec 2007
O\'Neill Stable Concerns	20 Dec 2007
Pouvior Quoted for Ladbroke World Hurdle	19 Dec 2007
Boylesports Festival Highlights	19 Dec 2007
Franchoek Beaten	18 Dec 2007
Osana Backed for Champion Hurdle	18 Dec 2007