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welshman443

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    Denman

    in At The Races - Racing Forum

    Posted

    Re: Denman DENMAN left his connections in upbeat mood following a schooling session at Ditcheat on Monday morning. Denman, watched by his joint-owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, jumped ten fences on grass in company with Dear Villez and Eurotrek and left trainer Paul Nicholls much happier than he had been after his previous school last Friday. RELATED LINKS

    Nicholls said: "That was the first time Denman has schooled on grass here since his novice days. We stopped doing that after he used to tank off and behave a bit stupid. "We normally jump him in the outdoor school, but he didn't please us in there on Friday morning; for some reason he doesn't seem to like it any more. "But he jumped ten fences this morning and went really well - he was full of enthusiasm. It left us very positive. "That followed on from a good piece of work he did with What A Friend on Saturday morning, so it's onwards and upwards with him." Denman's part-owner Harry Findlay is now also feeling much more optimistic about the nine-year-old's Cheltenham Gold Cup defence. Denman, who suffered heart problems at the start of the season, made a less than a spectacular comeback when a distant second at Kempton last month and Findlay had expressed doubts last week that Denman would even line up at Cheltenham on Friday week, but his latest schooling session left him feeling much happier about his prospects. "He worked well on Saturday morning on the all-weather gallop, but this morning was much more important as the plan was always to school him over the outdoor fences," said Findlay. "I think lethargy as much as anything has been the problem with Denman, certainly with those first couple of fences at Kempton, so today was very important. "Sam [Thomas] rode him and he worked with Dear Villez and Eurotrek, going over a couple of fences four or five times. "He looked really enthusiastic, jumped very well and the last couple of times he seemed to have plenty of zip between the obstacles. "The best thing about it for everyone was the enthusiasm he showed. He is a real character but he looked very happy this morning and barring any accident, he will be a runner in the Gold Cup. "I am still concerned he might not be the same horse he was, to be honest. Last week he schooled in the indoor school and he really was very poor there. "Just with all the vibes and knowing what it takes to get a top athlete to a top sporting event, last Thursday I made him decent odds-against to even run. "But to be honest, I think he surprised Paul Nicholls this morning as well and Sam was more than happy with the work," Findlay told At The Races. "We all spoke afterwards and we were happy to go with the green light. "I'm not sure there is any value in his price even now, but someone said on Thursday, it's alwaysgood when a champion gets the chance to retain his crown and that now looks like being the case."

    Denman

    in At The Races - Racing Forum

    Posted

    Re: Denman regarding kauto star -he will have to overcome 2 long standing hoodoos,firstly no horse as ever regained his crownand,secondly the last winnero improve on a placed effort from 12 mnths earlier was bregawn in 1983

    Doncaster-Sat 28th Feb

    in At The Races - Racing Forum

    Posted

    Re: Doncaster-Sat 28th Feb

    5:10 Doncaster: Leslingtaylor 2pts win 9/1 widely available His course and distance win was over Tidal Bay and last five wins have all come at around 2 miles on a good surface. If he has been freshened up by the all weather, should go well and trainer had a nice winner at Bangor earlier this week.
    well done stevet1859--:clap:clap:clap

    Denman

    in At The Races - Racing Forum

    Posted

    Re: Denman Denman's part-owner Harry Findlay has admitted significant doubts about his horse's chances of lifting the Cheltenham Gold Cup again. The well-known professional gambler, who was speaking at a Festival preview at Exeter racecourse, believes the stunning defeat of stablemates Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges last March may have taken its toll. "On the day at Cheltenham, when Denman turned for home he was gone. When Denman jumped the last he was completely gone. I think he was a gone horse well before the last," he said. "Because of what happened, I said within 24 hours of the race Neptune Collonges was the value each-way this year. Top sporting events, be they equine, canine or human, leave big scars. "I don't think we'll see the real Denman again. I hope we do and he is in the greatest hands you could possibly have, but if I was betting on it, I don't think he's a certainty to run." Reflecting on Denman's long-awaited reappearance, when he was well beaten by Madison Du Berlais, he added: "The race at Kempton was the last piece of the jigsaw. "But once a horse has won a Gold Cup and had a heart problem - Paul (Nicholls) said two months before the start of the season he couldn't move. He took two and a half months to get over it. We all know what we saw (at Kempton)." Nicholls, who was also on the expert panel, added: "For the first time this morning (Thursday), Denman really sparkled. I was going to take him for a racecourse gallop, but I don't think there's a need to now. "Kauto Star is a brilliant workhorse, Denman isn't. Paul (Barber, Denman's other part-owner) is keen to run and the way it is at the moment, there's no reason not to."

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