Weighty burden for Denman in Hennessy

DENMAN has been installed as the 4-1 favourite by totesport for Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, despite having to carry top weight.

Paul Nicholls’ second-season chaser, who bounded to victory in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, will be making his seasonal reappearance in the Newbury showpiece.

The seven-year-old, who has only lost once in 10 races under Rules, will bid to emulate Trabolgan in 2005 who also shouldered top-weight to victory, the first since Burrough Hill Lad in 1984 to do so.