Gold Cup defence the priority for Denman
The nine-year-old has not been seen in racecourse action since winning National Hunt’s blue riband last March after suffering from a fibrillating heart, but is on course for a return, possibly in the Aon Chase at Newbury on February 7.
Recent reports have suggested a start in April’s Aintree spectacular is high on champion trainer Paul Nicholls’ agenda, but he admits a defence of his Gold Cup crown remains Denman’s number one priority.
“We’ve entered Denman for the Grand National but that is as far as it has got at this stage,” Nicholls told Teletext.
“If he has a hard race in the Gold Cup like last year that would make it improbable but if something went wrong or he fell at the first, we’d kick ourselves if he wasn’t entered.
“It will be some time before a final decision is made so any speculation otherwise before then is exactly that.”
Meanwhile, last year’s winner Master Minded is one of 29 entries for the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on March 11.
The six-year-old’s 19-length victory in last year’s renewal earned him the title of the highest-rated National Hunt horse in training and he was a comfortable winner on his comeback in Sandown’s Tingle Creek.
He is one of seven entries for Paul Nicholls. The Ditcheat handler has also entered Andreas, Medicinal, Natal, Noland, Takeroc and Twist Magic.
Master Minded’s owner Clive Smith said: “Cheltenham has again been the aim all this season and he didn’t necessarily have to be 100 per cent to win the Tingle Creek.
“It wasn’t an outstanding performance but he did what he had to do and beat some sound opposition. He was very well ridden by Tony McCoy and the loose horse didn’t help his cause.
“The intention is to give him a run in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot next weekend and then go straight on to Cheltenham.
“We ran him every month from December to April last season but I think there is a certain age when they can handle a lot of racing and that some horses benefit from a break between races when they get older.”
Possible rivals could include the David Pipe-trained Well Chief, who finished runner-up to Moscow Flyer in the 2005 Champion Chase and fell when sent off favourite in 2007.
He has been off the course since April 2007 but Pipe is considering letting the 10-year-old make his seasonal appearance at The Festival.
“We’ve given Well Chief an entry in the Champion Chase and he’s cantering at the moment,” said Pipe.
“The Festival is a long way off for him but he’s in good form and, touch wood, his legs seem fine.
Other possibles include 2007 winner Voy Por Ustedes, Colm Murphy’s Big Zeb and German raider Fiepes Shuffle, winner of the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton last month.
Last year’s winner Our Vic is among a 48-strong entry for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham on March 12.
The 11-year-old became the first winner of the two mile five furlong contest after it had been upgraded to Grade One status.
He is one of three possibles from the David Pipe stable, along with Tamarinbleu and French import Or Noir De Somoza, who has two other Festival options.
Paul Nicholls has a powerful hand of seven entries as he seeks to win the race for a third time in its short history after Thisthatandtother (2005) and Taranis (2007).
The English champion trainer’s party is headed by last season’s Arkle Trophy third Noland, who won the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown last month. Nicholls can also choose from Silverburn, Twist Magic, Takeroc, Natal, Oslot and Gwanako.
Nicky Henderson, the only other trainer to have won the Ryanair Chase (with Fondmort in 2006), has put in Golden Flight and The Queen’s Barbers Shop.
Alan King has a choice of three from 2007 Champion Chase hero Voy Por Ustedes, Ouzbeck and Araldur.
Other talented chasers holding a Ryanair entry are last year’s Arkle victor Tidal Bay, Exotic Dancer, Monet’s Garden, Imperial Commander and Snoopy Loopy.
All five Irish-trained Queen Mother Champion Chase entries – Big Zeb, J’Y Vole, Newmill, Scotsirish and Thyne Again – are among 13 entries from Ireland while the sole French entry is shock Kempton winner Original, trained by Marcel Rolland.
