Denman battling back from illness

Owner Paul Barber has revealed Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman has spent the last five months in a veterinary hospital fighting for his life after contracting a potentially fatal infection.

The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding beat stable companion Kauto Star in one of the most highly-anticipated Cheltenham Gold Cups in history in 2008 and was then runner-up to his great rival 12 months later.