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Racing News |
The Denman Show Moves to Scotland
01/04/10
It was amazing that, on the back of one below-par effort when unseating his rider at Newbury in February, the legendary Denman was written off by so many in racing as being over the hill and past his prime, writes Elliot Slater.
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In the end it was Denman's archrival Kauto Star who had an off day in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, while Denman himself ran an absolute stormer to go down with all guns blazing in a memorable battle with Imperial Commander. Now it seems trainer Paul Nicholls, together with Denman's owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, has decided the dual Hennessy Gold Cup winner and 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero should be allowed to take his chance in the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on April 17th.
Denman's participation in the four-mile-one-furlong marathon would mean that most likely as many as 20 of his 23 potential rivals in the race will have to run from out of the handicap, some of them from as much as 21lbs wrong at the weights. Under the massive burden of 12 stones and with the possibility of testing ground, the Scottish National will be a tremendous test of Denman's stamina. However, if Ruby Walsh can get him into a good rhythm there is no reason why this class act can't give weight and beat some decent rivals including Silver By Nature, Chief Dan George, The Tother One, Our Vic and Burton Port.
He could also face Mon Mome, although the fact the horse is near the front of this year's Grand National betting markets indicates he will only make the trip to Scotland should things go badly wrong at Aintree.
Regardless of whether last year's Grand National winner is there the crowds will surely flock to the west coast of Scotland to see Denman, a horse who has achieved that rare feat of transcending racing and becoming a legend in his own lifetime. A win at Ayr would further cement his reputation, already confirmed by his official rating of 182, as one of the best steeplechasers of the modern era.
