All systems go for Denman

DENMAN is reported by trainer Paul Nicholls to be in far better shape then last year as he heads back to Cheltenham to avenge his short-priced Festival defeat.

Scores of punters had Paul Nicholls’ rising star as a banker for the old Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle nearly 12 months ago, sending him off the 11-10 favourite only to see him beaten by Nicanor.

With attentions turned to chasing this season, Denman remains unbeaten from four starts and is currently trading at the same price as he was last year with William Hill for the SunAlliance Chase.