Denman fav for National.

RUBY WALSH will ride Denman in the Aon Chase on Saturday, taking over from Sam Thomas, who was on board when the unbeaten chaser won the Gold Cup last March.

However, no decision has been reached over who will ride Denman when he returns to Cheltenham to defend his crown on March 13.


Paul Nicholls, outlining riding plans six days in advance of Denman’s eagerly awaited reappearance at Newbury, said on Sunday: “Ruby will ride Denman in the Aon; Sam will be riding for me at Warwick that day.

“It’s straightforward really; Ruby is my stable jockey, he’s the number one. That’s the way it’salways been and Sam understands that situation, as do all my jockeys. Ruby has been schooling Denman, he rode the horse in a racecourse gallop at Wincanton on Friday morning and he rides on Saturday.

“I’ve phoned Sam’s agent, Sam Stronge, this morning to outline my running plans for next weekend.

“But I stress here that we are talking about Saturday, and not the Gold Cup. Absolutely nothing has been decided as to who rides Denman or Kauto Star or Neptune Collonges at Cheltenham. The Gold Cup is a different race, different day, end of story for now.”

Although Denman has not raced since that unforgettable day last March, speculation has never gone away as to whether Thomas, as a Gold Cup-winning jockey, would remain on the horse this season, or whether Walsh, as Nicholls’ stable jockey, would get back on board.

In November and December, Thomas endured a luckless spell when taking over on Nicholls’ first-string runners during Walsh’s latest injury. High-profile defeats, in particular on Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase and Big Buck’s in the Hennessy, meant he did not always come in for rideshe might otherwise have expected to pick up.

However, his own performances in the saddle are not the primary reason for his being denied the opportunity to ride Denman this weekend, rather, Nicholls’ relationship with his stable jockey would have been placed under enormous strain had Walsh not been in pole position for the ride on Saturday.

Thomas first rode Denman in a novice chase at Newbury’s Hennessy meeting in 2006, but Walsh was in the plate for all his other victories that season, notably the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.


Thomas was back on board in the Hennessy 12 months later, as Walsh was off with a shoulder injury. The pair annihilated the opposition at Newbury, propelling Denman to the forefront of Gold Cup betting.

Walsh returned that Christmas in time to take over when Denman won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, but after he announced in early February that he would ride the 2007 Gold Cup and dual King George winner Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, Thomas was back on board Denman in the Aon Chase, as the owners were keen for the same jockey to be on board at Newbury as at Chelten-ham five weeks later.

That handed Thomas, at the time without a festival winner, the most important ride of his career, and he climaxed a fairytale season when Denman crushed Kauto Star in one of the most exciting confrontations in jumping history.

Among Denman’s likely opponents on Saturday is the Queen’s Barbers Shop, trainer Nicky Henderson indicated on Sunday, while he added that course winner The Market Man is on target for the 3m novice chase.

Air Force One could also take on Denman, trainer Charlie Mann said on Sunday, the alternative being the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Comments

Interesting though to speculate on who rides who in the Gold Cup. John Hales didnt want Liam Heard in last years race, prefering Mick Fitz for Neptune, so given his winning ride on ISTB's on Saturday, Christian Williams for Neptune is my pick.
01:41pm - 02 Feb 09
253120, United Kingdom

Not a problem with the decision. How daft would it look if something (please god it wont) happened to Kauto and Ruby's first ride of the season on Denman was in the Gold Cup.


01:39pm - 02 Feb 09
253120, United Kingdom

Ruby Walsh should get the Denman ride and I am glad he has. Denman will win the AON Chase if the race goes ahead and Denman will win the Gold Cup too no matter who is on him. Cheltenham is made for Denman. Kauto will the King George so get on now!
12:30pm - 02 Feb 09
allpress11, United Kingdom

Sam made no mistake on Denman last March so why jock off a winning jockey?
12:29pm - 02 Feb 09
waspii, United Kingdom

Ruby is stable jockey and deserves the ride. He loves Kauto and will definatley ride him in gold cup
12:06pm - 02 Feb 09
hunty001, United Kingdom

Sam has always known that Ruby gets first choice of rides, it got him a Gold Cup win last year so he can't complain very much, not that he would anyway. Sam has always come across as a classy guy and that won't change over one ride.
11:26am - 02 Feb 09
Midlandslion, United Kingdom

whichever horse ruby decides to ride in the gold cup A.P will be on board the other. Sam T is out of favour and wont get another premier ride for Nicholls.
11:22am - 02 Feb 09
duckington69, United Kingdom

ruby is a master in the saddle and racing is a cut throat business and owners want the best available. he's stable jockey so there's no arguments.sam thomas has nothing to prove all jockeys go through a bad spell and he should not be judged on that
10:48am - 02 Feb 09
andyda, Ireland

Will Ruby ride Denman at Cheltenham? Doubt it as he will want to keep Clive Smith happy so that he does not jeopardise riding Master Minded. suspect he'll still be on Kauto Star at Cheltenham. Still we have yet to see how Denman is after his comeback.
10:17am - 02 Feb 09
duckworthlewis, Ireland

ruby wont make the same mistake as last year he will keep the ride..sam hasnt been riding at his best this season so nicholls made the right choice

McCoy cut to partner Denman in Gold Cup


IF MONEY talks Denman will have a new rider as he attempts to retain his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham next month.

Paddy Power have opened a market on who will ride the talented nine-year-old and report all the money has been for champion jockey Tony McCoy.



McCoy was available to back at 5-1 when the market was formed, with Sam Thomas, who has ridden Denman in three of his last four races, the odds-on favourite.



"There's been plenty of money for McCoy. He opened at 5-1 and was then 7-2 and there's been more money. We've not seen a penny for anyone else.

"We put Thomas as favourite because he was the incumbent but nobody knew who should be favourite. Some people thought it should be Walsh, some thought it should be Thomas and some thought McCoy.

"So far they all want to back McCoy and punters think he'll have the action if he wants it.

Thomas still in Denman equation - Barber


PAUL BARBER on Thursday evening insisted that SamThomas - who rode a treble at Taunton on Thursday - has not been ruled out of the equation for the Gold Cup ride aboard Denman, despite Tony McCoy being odds-on favourite to pick up the ride.

"It's not out of the equation," said Denman's part-owner.

"He [Thomas] did go through a shaky period, but if he continues to improve he'll be there, Tony McCoy is around and if you want the best jockey you've got him, you've got Ruby Walsh to chose from, any of these people [could ride him].

"There has ben no deal made with anybody and there won't be until he runs etc etc.

"For him [McCoy] to be 5-2 on is ridiculous, somebody couldbreak their leg tomorrow, the horse could have a sneeze the next day and you've lost all your money.

"I don't bet, I'm not as daft as some," he told At The Races.

Denman is due to make his eagerly awaited reappearance after a heart problem in Newbury's Aon Chase on Saturday - if the meeting survives an 8am inspection on Friday.

Read more in Friday's Racing Post - or click here to buy the online newspaper from 9am on Friday
Comments

John Ayres comment 9.30pm 5th Feb' is spot on, give the Denman ride to Christian Williams ''who only lost his position in the Nicholls yard through injury'', having won on Denman. He also won the most valuable races the last two Saturdays, jockey in form!
01:05am - 06 Feb 09
liamriley, Ireland

Whilst its true Sam Thomas is riding well again, to say hes done nothing wrong this season is simply pie in the sky. In most sports, participants are replaced when they under perform and a better alterative is sought. Why should racing be any different?
12:52am - 06 Feb 09
Bobbylee, United Kingdom

anyone have an idea of the arkle winner, ante post bets on tatenen and araldur aren't looking good. i'd like to see neptune collonges win gold cup , he is the value bet , after denman wins on saturday he will be evs and kauto is 1 from 5 lefthanded
11:50pm - 05 Feb 09
boyle78, United Kingdom

Mr Barber swore that Ruby would never ride Denman again when he opted for Kauto last year. He made that statement in public in Pat Foxes bar in Cashel last year while attending the coursing in clonmel, a very short memory Mr Barber
11:01pm - 05 Feb 09
senglish, Ireland

Last year's Gold Cup build-up was well handled by the Nicholls yard. Let's not make the mistake of ruining it this year with a 'will he, won't he' scenario regarding Sam Thomas riding. Make the decision and stick by it, and let's all enjoy the rematch.
10:05pm - 05 Feb 09
phartoogifted, United Kingdom

I just can't see what Sam has done wrong!!

Horses fall, the jockey hits the deck.....it's all in the game.

ALL jockeys have falls...blame the horses and leave Sam alone!!
09:40pm - 05 Feb 09
tenpin, United Kingdom

If not Sam, which would be bad because he's not done anything wrong, why AP who has not ridden the horse in a race, why not Christian Williams who has already won 3 times on Denman and only lost his position in the Nichols yard to Sam because of injury
09:30pm - 05 Feb 09
john ayres, United Kingdom

Lets forget about who is riding what, and think about what a great clash we have in store at the gold cup! denman v kauto take 2!! Hope it comes up good ground, and kauto can show the real kauto on gold cup day!
09:16pm - 05 Feb 09
dixana123, United Kingdom

The media absolutely scrutinized Sam on his falls, simply because they were high profile. Thought this I-view was the 1st step in him not being on the horse. How is he supposed to improve on horses that don't jump well enough? What is he doing wrong?!
08:40pm - 05 Feb 09
ryanwe, United Kingdom

Sam deserves to keep the ride. He's riding so well at the moment-he should ride on saturday

GO SAM

Kempton not ideal for Denman, says Nicholls


ALL eyes will be on Denman at Kempton on Saturday as the Gold Cup winner is set to make his reappearance in the rearranged Grade 2 Levy Board Chase despite trainer Paul Nicholls' concerns about the suitability of the track.

The contest was re-routed to Kempton after Newbury was forced to abandon its Saturday fixture, although the track will have to pass an 8am inspection on Saturday morning.


The nine-year-old has beenout of action since his Gold Cup win last season with a fibrillating heart and Nicholls is looking forward to seeing 'the tank' back in action.

"It's great news they have rearranged the race and now we have just got to hope that Kempton gets the go-ahead," said Nicholls.

"Kempton is obviously not ideal, and I would never have wanted to run him in a King George round there, but we have got to run somewhere.

"He has won three times right-handed, twice at Wincanton and once at Exeter and in the circumstances, we have got to run him.

"He's in good form and is well ready to run. He's done all of his prep work and had a nice gallop round Wincanton last weekwith Ruby [Walsh] on board."

Denman will face just six rivals, including the David Pipe-trained pair of An Accordion and Madison Du Berlais.

Joe Lively is set to take his chance for Colin Tizzard, and the trainer said: "The ground should be ideal for us and he's won the Feltham at Kempton.

"He's a versatile horse. People think he's a Cheltenham specialist but that's because we run him there all the time.

"After this there's about a month before the Gold Cup. It will give us plenty of time to freshen him up.

"He had a hard-enough race at Cheltenham last time but he seems fine. He'll have a nice run roundtomorrow then we'll have a good month to the Gold Cup."

The field is completed by Niche Market, King George runner-up Albertas Run and 2005 Hennessy Gold Cup hero Trabolgan.
Comments

wangaroo what are you on about? i agree entirely with ppl tht say that this race is probably not a betting opportunity just a race of watching interest.. but there is no way u can lay him.. how could you even think of laying denman??????
04:51am - 07 Feb 09
sexybeastandy, United Kingdom

It is great to have Denman back but surely he has to be watched at 2's on in heavy ground on a tightish track with his once-dodgy heart and the jockey that abandoned him last season! Then again, he could be THAT good. Come back safe and sound my friend.
03:12am - 07 Feb 09
mkkelly, United Kingdom

Hello all. Denman has been a classic horse since he first popped on the scene, and it was only Nicanor that has ever beat him. The heart op may have thrown him, but like Master Minded I think good horses like this dont come round often. DO NOT BE FOOLED!
03:07am - 07 Feb 09
vinchen69, United Kingdom

there aint a horse in the feild that will finish within 10 lenghts of the tank.he will trounce them
02:49am - 07 Feb 09
Brenho, Ireland

Easy Money, Denman is gonna demolish his rivals, Joe who??...
12:00am - 07 Feb 09
dj_zedster, United Kingdom

Whether backing or laying the whole industry relies on opinions and win or lose Denman has surpassed Kauto Star in the media stakes.I will not lay him at 1/2 as he is potentially the best chaser for decades.Enjoy Kauto and Denman while we can.Rare talent
11:11pm - 06 Feb 09
glentoby, United Kingdom

Nicholls has always said that Kempton would not suit Denman thats why he has never run in the King George so i hope he wins easily as am waiting for Nicholls excuse for not running the Tank against his favourite Kauto in the KG next year.
11:08pm - 06 Feb 09
alanchristine, United Kingdom

Everything about this race suggests to me to leave Denman alone ... Trabolgan looks way overpriced to me & I shall be having a small wager ... Feb. is speculative at the best of times, but with the severe disruption so far now is a time to be speculative
11:08pm - 06 Feb 09
paulgw, United Kingdom

Given the track,likely ground conditions and that Denman,s Gold Cup will be the "real thing" in March this is a race to watch with great interest but at circa 1/2 he is not a betting proposition tomorrow at all - more of a lay then a win bet surely.


10:50pm - 06 Feb 09
wangaroo, United Kingdom

stephencottrill,what exactly is ur point?Are you saying a heart problem makes a difference or not?Do u actually know anything about racehorses? What exactly is a pipeopener in your opinion?Can u make a point wthout usin txt speak? Ru ltrate or ru nuts?

Connections have confirmed that Denman will not run in this year's John Smith's Grand National.

The nine-year-old had been installed by some bookmakers as favourite for the race, but it has now been decided that last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will not feature.

The decision comes on the back of a comprehensive defeat for Denman at Kempton on his return to the track over the weekend.

Paul Nicholls' charge trailed home some 20 lengths or so behind Madison Du Berlais in the Levy Board Chase on Saturday and that loss has prompted his owners to focus their attentions on preparing him for the defence of his Gold Cup crown.

"I met with Paul Barber and Harry Findlay on Sunday night and we decided not to aim Denman at the National," Nicholls stated.

"I want to concentrate on getting him right for the Gold Cup. I phoned Phil Smith, the handicapper, on Sunday to let him know our intentions and to give him time to adjust the National weights."

The weights for the world-famous handicap at Aintree are set to be unveiled in London on Tuesday.

Thomas looks set to keep Denman Gold Cup ride

SAM THOMAS looks set to regain the ride on Denman in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.


Speculation had been mountingthat Tony McCoy would be offered the mount as the champion jockey was as short as 2-5 with some bookmakers to pick up the ride.

Denman made a rather lacklustre reappearance after 11 months off at Kempton on Saturday, when he was ridden by Ruby Walsh.

But with Walsh set to partner Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, Findlay said Thomas will be back on board when the pair bid for a repeat win in the blue riband event on March 13.

"I've been away for two months, but when I went away the plan was for Ruby to ride Kauto and Sam to ride Denman," Findlay told RUK.

"I've seen nothing since that would make us change that decision.

"Sam rode five winners in two days recently and as far as I'm concerned, he'll be on Denman if he gets to the Gold Cup.

"I'm pretty sure that's how it will be.

"That was how it was on Thursday night when we were in the pub and I wasn't at Kempton.

"I haven't heard that anything has changed since then.