McCoy back in tune with Denman

TONY McCoy and Denman were reunited for the first time since they parted company at Newbury last month as the champion jockey schooled the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hopeful at Paul Nicholls’ Somerset yard yesterday morning.

Denman remains firmly on course for a rematch with Kauto Star at Cheltenham next Friday, although part-owner Harry Findlay believes the 10-year-old has his work cut out to repeat the epic 2008 win over his stablemate.

McCoy was called up to replace Sam Thomas for this year’s renewal only for the partnership to be torn apart on their first meeting when the heavily odds-on Denman unseated his rider at the third-last fence in the Aon Chase.