Ground key to Nicholls stars’ Punchestown bid
Kauto Star became the first horse in history to reclaim the Cheltenham Gold Cup crown at Prestbury Park, while Master Minded won his second Queen Mother Champion Chase at the showpiece meeting.
Nicholls is keen to let the Clive Smith-owned duo turn out again this season, but admits there must be some give in the ground if they are make the journey to Ireland.
“A lot of it is weather dependant with Kauto Star and Master Minded and we’ll have to see what the weather does over the next two or three weeks,” said Nicholls.
“If we get a nice, warm, settled spell then they would go out to grass, but if it was wet and cold and they couldn’t go out then it’s a possibility.
“I will be meeting with Clive on Thursday and we will discuss fully exactly what we’re going to do about Kauto and Master Minded.
“It is a possibility if the ground is suitable.”
Meanwhile, co-owner Harry Findlay insists that all roads now lead to Aintree for a rejuvenated Denman.
The 2008 Gold Cup winner is reportedly back on top of his game and will definitely run in the totesport Bowl on Thursday week.
Denman’s troubles have been well documented this term. Nonetheless, the Paul Nicholls-trained nine-year-old still produced a magnificent display to finish second behind Kauto Star in the Gold Cup two weeks ago.
“Denman is very much on an upward curve,” said Findlay.
“Paul Barber (co-owner) said to me just before the Gold Cup that he thought he was maybe only a couple of weeks short – his well-being and progression since the race have made us think that even more.
“The Gold Cup was a difficult race to watch in many ways, but the reception and response he got from the crowd afterwards were just phenomenal.
“Knowing what the crowds are like at Aintree, it will be one of the great days of my life if he can come back and put in an authoritative performance there.”
Nicholls also said that the Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up is “almost definite to run” in the totesport Bowl at Aintree next Thursday.
“Denman is going to go to Aintree next week – that is the plan,” said Nicholls yesterday.
“He’s in good form and has come out of Cheltenham really well so I would say he is almost definite to run in the totesport Bowl.”
Nicholls had been considering running the giant gelding in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil at the end of May but decided against it after recently walking the French track.
“The ground in Auteuil was very worn and was firm in places and heavy in places, so it’s not ideal to be running on that for championship races at this time of year,” Nicholls added.
“It’s incredible prize-money, but it doesn’t matter what the prize-money is if the surface isn’t good.”
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