Nicholls not expecting Denman win in Hennessy

PAUL NICHOLLS’ gut instinct is that Denman will do no better than finish fourth or fifth under top weight in Saturday’s Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury – a race in which fellow pacesetter Carruthers has been declared a non-runner.

The 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner coped with the 11st 12lb burden in the Hennessy two years ago when tanking his way to success, but he is considerably higher in the weights this time around.

The nine-year-old has to give upwards of 12lb to his rivals and despite being back in rude health after an interrupted campaign last season, the champion trainer believes the 4-1 favourite faces a tough task.