No festive run for Denman

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman has not been declared at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

Paul Nicholls has shelved plans to run the gelding over hurdles for the first time since he suffered his only career defeat at the hands of Nicanor in March 2006.

The eight-year-old was a candidate to line up in a series qualifier of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle, which has attracted 10 runners including stablemates Elusive Dream and Pride Of Dulcote.

Denman has been sidelined since his Cheltenham success in March after he was found to be suffering from a fibrillating heart.

Nicholls has for a long time earmarked the Aon Chase at Newbury in February as his big-race comeback over fences.