DENMAN’S owner Paul Barber thinks the breathing operation he was given after the Hennessy Gold Cup has had a huge effect on his capability to recover from his races.

The ever-popular 11-year-old goes in search of only his second win since his Gold Cup success of 2008 in today’s totesport Bowl, the feature race on Liverpool Day at Aintree.

Incredibly, since that Cheltenham win he has finished second in the next three renewals, to Kauto Star, Imperial Commander and Long Run.

He has not taken much racing in recent years with his campaign built around Cheltenham, but Barber is of the view the decision of Paul Nicholls to cauterise his palate has had the right influence on his ability to recover from his races.

Ruby Walsh, who has won seven of his nine races on Denman, is also back on board.

“It’s amazing he’s only won the one race since his Gold Cup given that he’s run so many good races since then,” said Barber.

“The operation he had on his palate has made a huge difference to his breathing - at home and on the racecourse. Instead of taking three months to get over a race he bounced back from the Gold Cup in three days.

“I’m not saying he’s going to win or anything but he’s in great order, he looks in great order anyway.

“It speaks volumes for him and Kauto Star that they both ran so well in a Gold Cup that many regarded as the best of a generation as 11-year-olds.

“It was fabulous to see a young horse (Long Run) coming through too, I just wish he’d come through a year later but that’s beside the point!

“He fell at Aintree two years ago but he actually jumped a shadow from outside the wing, a few other horses have done it, but he was coming to get the leader. It wouldn’t worry me going back to Aintree.”