Denman one of ten in Aon Chase

DENMAN is likely to face a small field in his final run before the Cheltenham Gold Cup as only 10 entries were received for the Aon Chase at Newbury on Saturday.

Paul Nicholls has also entered Kauto Star in the three-mile event, a race the Gold Cup winner won 12 months ago. However, his preferred target remains the Commercial First Chase at Ascot a week later.

Gold Cup third Turpin Green may take his chance for Nicky Richards, while Ferdy Murphy’s Another Promise could make his seasonal reappearance.

Ollie Magern is set to comeback after a spell on the sidelines and David Pipe will be looking for a much better showing from Celestial Gold after the former Hennessy winner was pulled up on his comeback over hurdles.

Howard Johnson has two possibles, Grand National fancy Bewleys Berry and El Vaquero, while Sue Smith has entered grand sort Mister McGoldrick.

Donald McCain’s impressive Ascot scorer Regal Heights completes the list.

Nicholls confirmed Kauto Star is only in the race as back-up in case anything happens to Denman, and that Ascot is his target, all things being equal.

Nicholls has got the bookmakers running for cover again ahead of the totesport Trophy at Newbury on Saturday.

Nicholls will saddle Five Dream, only a four-year-old but an impressive winner of his last two starts at Sandown and Cheltenham – importantly against his elders.

With that experience under his belt he was already a strong fancy for the valuable handicap and after a treble at Sandown last weekend and numerous other high-profile victories in major races already this season, punters are expected to follow a winning team.

The bookies have good reason to fear Five Dream as if top-weight Punjabi stands his ground at the weekend, he would only have to carry just 10st 3lb.

“There is no real worry about the ground for him, he just wouldn’t want it fast,” said Nicholls.

“He won on good to soft at Cheltenham last time and that would be ideal.

“He’s improving all the time, I’m very happy to run him and I’m looking forward to it.”

However, John Quinn floored a red-hot jolly last weekend at Doncaster when Leslingtaylor beat Tidal Bay and he will be looking to do the same with Kings Quay, who runs in the same colours.

“He’s been a very good money spinner for us,” said Quinn of the Elite Hurdle winner.

“He’s a two-miler through and through and the better the ground the better for him.”