Deadly Den a cut above

Denman readied himself for his date with destiny at Cheltenham next month with a near-faultless display under Sam Thomas in the Aon Chase at Newbury.

Paul Nicholls’ magnificent chaser is a little under six weeks away from clashing with Kauto Star in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

And he put the finishing touches to his preparation on the track by landing the same race his stablemate did 12 months ago en route to success in the blue riband.

Apart from two slight mistakes, the 1-4 favourite shrugged off the attentions of Ollie Magern after jumping the fourth-last and pulled right away for a towering 20-length victory.

The Gold Cup sponsors trimmed him into 7-4 from 15-8, while Coral go 11-8.

Ladbrokes offer 2-1, with Kauto Star their 11-10 market leader for the March 14 contest.

Nicholls said: “That was just what we wanted and he has done exactly what we expected him to.

“I couldn’t be more pleased with him and we know he’ll improve a fair bit for that.

“It will just tighten him up and he was having a blow afterwards.

“Sam says he was taking the mickey out of him most of the way around.

“He will just keep improving – mind you he will need to but he is good and is going the right way very quickly.

“That will be it now and we’ll ready him at home for five weeks on Friday.”

Thomas, who will partner Denman in the Gold Cup after stable jockey Ruby Walsh plumped for Kauto Star, added: “It was perfect and exactly how I imagined it would be.

“He jumped perfectly and travelled really well.

“He had to win like that if he’s going to go to the Gold Cup as the second favourite.

“There will be a pair of exceptional horses turning up on the day.

“He tries, he jumps and is enthusiastic about everything.

“He was racing on down to the open-ditch and went a bit long.

“But he knows what he is doing as he is that class, and he can get away with it.

“He can get a little idle out in front but he just outclassed his rivals.

“Hopefully me and the horse and Ruby and Kauto can stay in one piece for the next five weeks.”

Joint-owner and renowned gambler Harry Findlay helped himself to the long odds-on about the favourite and thought his charge was a certainty to see off his three rivals.

Findlay said: “That performance smelt of a horse who is ready to race in a proper race, and next month he will get it.

“Today was an incredible price and there was real value for punters – I hope they steamed in like I did.

“I am so glad him and Kauto Star are in the same stable as so often in the past we have had sporting clashes where things have been different.

“But these guys will get the same treatment and preparation.

“Everything will be done right and the Gold Cup will be great for the sport.”

Walsh partnered Denman to victory in the Lexus Chase but watched him charge into the distance this time as the Irishman took second aboard Regal Heights.

Ginger McCain, representing his son Donald, said of the runner-up: “It was a good run. Ruby got off the horse and said ’Grand National’.

“I think he’s dead right. I wasn’t allowed to run him (in the National) this year, but let’s look at next year.

“Denman is a grand horse. He’s done his trial very well.”

David Johnson, owner of third home Celestial Gold, added: “I’m disappointed really. He was getting weight from the others and I thought he’d run better, but he will come on for it.

“I suppose we’ll still look at the Gold Cup and the Grand National.”

Ollie Magern paid the price for laying up with Denman and dropped out of contention to finish a distant last of the quartet.