Nicholls: tough task for Denman

PAUL NICHOLLS admits Denman faces a tough test in trying to defy top-weight for a second time in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday.

The nine-year-old put up one of the best weight-carrying performances of recent times when lumping 11st 12lb to an impressive victory in 2007 before going on to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following March.

However, since then he has had to overcome a heart problem and has subsequently failed to get his head in front, although he was second to his stablemate Kauto Star in last season’s Gold Cup.