HARRY FINDLAY believes Denman will find it tough to get the better of Kauto Star in next week’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The 10-year-old’s part-owner was speaking after Tony McCoy was on board Denman for the first time since they parted company at Newbury last month in a schooling session at Paul Nicholls’ Ditcheat yard yesterday morning.
Denman is currently a best-priced 9-2 second favourite with Coral behind Kauto Star – the 8-11 market leader with William Hill, Blue Square, Paddy Power and Boylesports.
But although Findlay says Denman is on course for a rematch with his stable-mate a week today, he thinks it will be hard to repeat his 2008 win in the blue riband.
McCoy has replaced Sam Thomas for this year’s renewal, but despite being a long odds-on shot on their first outing Denman unseated the champion jockey at the third-last fence in the Aon Chase.
Findlay said: “Today was just the second time McCoy had sat on him and it was the first time since Newbury. Denman jumped two hurdles, then two schooling fences and then two proper fences.
“He was good and aggressive over the first and then a little slower at the second when McCoy had to cajole him along. Some days you can watch him and not have him on your mind, but I would have given him nine out of 10 today. He was definitely keen enough when jumping, but Kauto is so ready for the race.
“He has been trained for this race all year and it will take a phenomenal performance for anything to beat Kauto Star.”
Following Denman’s win in the Gold Cup in 2008 he suffered a heart problem last season and failed to sparkle.
He was second in last year’s Gold Cup and appeared back to his best when defying top weight for a second time in the Hennessy at Newbury in November.
Findlay added: “The day we won the Gold Cup, Tony McCoy said that the race would leave its mark and that we needed to be careful with him.
“I spoke to him this morning and he still thinks that. He might have won the Hennessy giving away two stone, but I don’t think it was the same Denman who won the Gold Cup. He was on fire that day. We are unlikely to be so aggressive this time, but we had to do it then as it was the only way of beating Kauto Star.”
As well as Kauto Star Findlay rates the other odds-on favourites Dunguib, Master Minded and Big Buck’s as banker material at next week’s Cheltenham Festival.
The big-hitting punter is well known for backing short-priced market leaders and believes the quartet all have great chances of victory.
Dunguib is the 10-11 with sportingbet in the Festival opener, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday.
The Nicholls-trained duo, Master Minded and Big Buck’s are 8-11 and 8-13 respectively for Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase and Thursday’s Ladbrokes World Hurdle.
Findlay said: “I don’t see any negative for any of the hotpots.
“All the good judges say Dunguib is the fastest thing they have seen.
“Ruby (Walsh) schooled Master Minded recently and said that so long as he doesn’t fall off then he will win.
“Big Buck’s is a certainty and it will take a phenomenal performance for anything to beat Kauto Star.”
TODAY’S NAP: Tara Taylor (4.05pm Sandown).
