What Paul told Pat: ‘Denman? He’s in serious order’
His team is led by two of the greatest chasers of modern times, the veterans Denman and Kauto Star.
They are both 11 years of age now, have won the Gold Cup before, in Kauto Star’s case twice, and are paying their sixth visits to the festival.
Nicholls is under no illusions regarding the task facing his pair and is well aware that the changing of the guard has, essentially, already taken place.
A year ago, Denman ran his heart out, but couldn’t cope with Imperial Commander, while Kauto Star blundered away his chance, finally tumbling out of the contest at the fourth last.
But, undaunted, Denman and Kauto will try one more time on Friday, in what will surely be their final attempt to turn back time.
Nicholls says that Denman is in “great order” but believes his prospects will be greatly enhanced the softer the surface.
“He has had a great preparation this time round, unlike last year,” said Nicholls.
Denman, who has been operated on for his wind of late, has been rested since running a fine race off top weight in the Hennessy at Newbury in November.
Said Nicholls: “He ran a cracker at the weights in the Hennessy and we didn’t want to run him again before Cheltenham.
“He looks great in his coat for this time of year, he looks very fit and enthusiastic. Obviously, he’s 11 now and is not getting any younger, but we’re very happy with him.”
If Denman wants soft ground, then the quicker it is the better for Kauto Star, the only horse in history, of course, who has ever regained the Gold Cup.
“He is in serious order and when my head man (Clifford Baker) rode him the other day, he had a hard job holding him,” reported Nicholls.
“He’s a little bit more forward in his coat this year than some of the others and looks great. He was a bit disappointing at Kempton (King George), but if he hadn’t made a bad mistake at the last then would have been second.
“It is phenomenal to think he is going back to Cheltenham for the sixth time. I’m hoping he’ll win, but if finishing third or fourth that won’t surprise me.”
Big Buck’s will be defending an astonishing record in Thursday’s Ladbrokes’ World Hurdle. He is now unbeaten in 10 races and is seeking a hat-trick in this contest.
“He’s the sort of horse who needs plenty of work,” said Nicholls. “He hasn’t had a hard race for a while and the last thing I want to do is have him going there underdone.
“I’m very happy with how he looks right now and the way he’s going — he’s bang on target for the World Hurdle.
“On form, he’s still the one they’ve all got to beat and I always thought that when Grands Crus won at Haydock that he’d be very interesting.
“Some day, Big Buck’s will have to be beaten and if Grands Crus is able to do it, then it will be easier to send Big Buck’s back chasing next season.
“If he wins again, then we can stay hurdling. Grands Crus is obviously a very, very good horse but he’ll have to be to beat Big Buck’s.”
On Wednesday, Master Minded will attempt to regain the two-mile Champion Chase, taken from him a year ago by Big Zeb.
“He had a wind operation in the summer and it has made a big difference to him,” revealed Nicholls.
“He is at his best when very fit and fresh and that’s the way I have him now. Obviously last season was a bit of a damp squib and we had a few little problems with him.
“He’s three from three this season and at Ascot last time AP (McCoy) said he was in front far too soon and I don’t think he was at his best.
“I’d trained him quite hard for the two races in the autumn and then I backed off him a bit so he probably wasn’t as fit as he could have been.
“He looks really well, is full of confidence and, I think, is back to where he was before.”
Nicholls harbours high hopes Poquelin, second a year ago, will go one better in the Ryanair Chase.
“I’m very pleased with him and think he has a big chance, he’s a better horse than last year. He loves nice ground and to be fresh.”
If Nicholls houses a possible future Gold Cup winner, to replace Denman and Kauto Star, then it could be Aiteen Thirtythree, who puts his reputation on the line in the RSA Novices’ Chase.
“He’s a gorgeous horse, one of my favourites,” said Nicholls. “He has a big chance and chasing was always going to be his game.
“If the ground’s nice then he’ll go close. Give him another summer and my horse could be a real Gold Cup contender.”
He has many other possibilities through the week, the likes of Sam Winner, Al Ferof and Ghizao.
Sam Winner (JCB Triumph Hurdle) is well worth a second glance. When bolting away with his first two races, at Cheltenham, he looked nailed on for the festival.
But then he disappointed badly at Chepstow and the jury was out again. “I shouldn’t have run him at Chepstow, the ground was far too heavy,” said Nicholls.
“He is in terrific order again now, is a real chaser in the making and will go over fences in the autumn.”
Nicholls, of course, has spent most of the campaign, four months to be precise, soldiering without his trusty lieutenant, Ruby Walsh.
He is mighty relieved to have him back. Said Nicholls: “Nicky Henderson doesn’t know how lucky he was to have Barry Geraghty for the whole season.
“It was difficult and when Ruby came into the yard that Monday two weeks ago it was great to see him and gave everyone a lift. The lads who replaced him did well, but it wasn’t the same.”
His best bet of the week?
“Big Buck’s.”
