Ruby salutes ‘great’ Denman

RUBY WALSH hailed Denman ‘a great horse’ after injury forced connections to call time on the legendary staying chaser’s stellar career yesterday.

The Paul Nicholls-trained 11-year-old was embarking upon what was likely to be his final campaign, which was due to begin in the Lexus Chase, a race he won four years ago, at Leopardstown on December 28.

But once a tendon injury was discovered after a routine piece of work earlier this week, owner Paul Barber and trainer Paul Nicholls had no hesitation in retiring the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and dual Hennessy Gold Cup winner.