British Horseracing Authority chief handicapper Phil Smith was buoyed by the news Gold Cup winner Denman is being considered for a tilt at the John Smith's Grand National.

The nine-year-old has not been seen since his Festival heroics last March after suffering from a fibrillating heart.

But Paul Nicholls has suggested he could head to Aintree after aiming to defend his Gold Cup crown.

If he does complete the double, Denman will become the first horse to do so since the great Golden Miller in 1934.

The most recent Gold Cup scorer to line up in the Grand National was 1995 hero Master Oats, who could only finish seventh over the giant fences.

"It's very exciting news for the race and obviously it will make me think a bit," said Smith.

"It's the culmination of everything we have been trying to achieve for the last 10 years as we have been trying to get the better horses to run.

"Ten years ago, the highest-rated horse in the race was 150 and now it could be 182 so it is really fantastic.

"At the bottom end, the lowest-rated horse was in 1999 was 110 and last year it was 138 so the race has improved by two stone in 10 years.

"It's great for the sponsors as they are putting a lot of money in and they deserve the best horses.

"I suggested they dropped the top weight to 11st 10lb from 11st 12lb and that has been accepted by everyone and obviously that has encouraged Denman's connections.

"Obviously all the news is about Denman but I suspect there will be a lot of other exceptionally good horses in there as well.

"Denman's entry will make the race but I also think the race will be the making of Denman so it is great news all round."

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, speaking in his weekly column in the Racing Post, said: "I've been asked several times whether Denman will have an entry in the Grand National and I can put an end to the speculation by saying he will be entered.

"I'm coming round to the idea of running him. The more I think about it the more it makes sense with Denman in his prime.

"Phil Smith has offered a carrot by reducing the top weight and as Denman is rated 182, the Grand National handicap is going to be very interesting."

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