Weighty burden for Denman

As expected, Denman will have to shoulder top-weight if he is to win the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury this weekend.

Paul Nicholls’ Royal & SunAlliance Chase winner tops 31 acceptors for the showpiece race following the withdrawal of stablemate Kauto Star.

Others to have been taken out include last year’s winner State Of Play, 2003 winner Strong Flow and Sunday’s impressive Becher Chase victor Mr Pointment.

Those to have stood their ground include 2006 runner-up Juveigneur, Paddy Power Gold Cup third Knowhere and Grand National third Slim Pickings.

David Pipe’s extremely impressive Badger Ales Chase winner Abragante is guaranteed a run this time after missing out in the Paddy Power, while ante-post gamble Bible Lord is 29th on the list with a maximum field of 24 possible.

Dom d’Orgeval could also take his chance for Pipe.

The Irish challenge is strong as along with Slim Pickings, Willie Mullins’ Snowy Morning, Michael Hourigan’s Mossbank, Pat Hughes’ Point Barrow and Paul Nolan’s French Accordion could all run.

New Alco, Alderburn, Sir Rembrandt, Character Building and Dream Alliance are other notable possibles.

Denman will be ridden by man of the moment Sam Thomas, and fresh from his successes on Kauto Star and Mr Pointment last weekend, he is just hoping his golden spell continues.

Thomas said: “I’m really looking forward to him and he worked well at Exeter last week.

“After the weekend that’s just gone it’s just amazing (to have this ride),” he told At The Races.

“He’s well and although it’s his first run of the season, there is no reason why he can’t go and run his race.”