Barber - no McCoy deal on Denman
The whispers have been getting stronger all week that McCoy will ride the current champion and he is odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to get the job.
However, part-owner Barber insists there is still a chance that Sam Thomas, who partnered him 11 months ago to the biggest win of his career, could be on board again.
“It’s not out of the equation,” said Barber.
“He (Thomas) did go through a shaky period but if he continues to improve he’ll be there, Tony McCoy is around and if you want the best jockey you’ve got him, you’ve got Ruby Walsh to chose from, any of these people (could ride him).
“There has ben no deal made with anybody and there won’t be until he runs etc etc. For him (McCoy) to be 5-2 on is ridiculous, somebody could break their leg tomorrow, the horse could have a sneeze the next day and you’ve lost all your money.
“I don’t bet, I’m not as daft as some,” he told At The Races.
Denman is due to make his eagerly-awaited reappearance after a heart problem in Newbury’s Aon Chase on Saturday if the meeting survives an 8am inspection today.
Paul Nicholls later told Teletext: “It would be a massive, massive blow to Denman if Newbury was off, it would give me a big headache.
“Wincanton next week has been mentioned but Neptune Collonges might have to go there so it would be a problem and I’m keeping everything crossed.
“I’m sure we’ll find something. He could always go for the Ascot Chase but that would not be ideal. Basically we need Newbury to be on.”
