Denman boost for Nicholls

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman has undergone successful treatment in Newmarket for an irregular heartbeat.

The news means Paul Nicholls’ brilliant chaser, who will return to his home in Ditcheat on Friday, will be back to defend his crown in March.

Nicholls told the Racing Post: “He’s fine, thank goodness, and we’re all absolutely delighted. Fortunately, he didn’t need to undergo an operation.

“He’ll then have an easy month – we’ll start from scratch, building him up quietly with a view to having him ready in the new year.

“That would mean the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown is very unlikely. Whether he has one or two runs before the Gold Cup is almost immaterial, but his number-one target, as far as I’m concerned, is the Gold Cup.”