National option for Denman

Eurosport - Sat, 03 Jan 11:20:00 2009

Denman will be entered in this year's John Smith's Grand National according to trainer Paul Nicholls.

2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup Denman - 0

Part-owner Harry Findlay has made no secret of his desire to see his Cheltenham Gold Cup winner tackle Aintree's unique fences, and it seems he may get his wish this year after all.

Writing in his Racing Post column Nicholls said: "I've been asked several times in the last couple of days whether Denman will get 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've thought about it the more it makes sense while Denman is in his prime.

"Phil Smith has offered a carrot by reducing the top weight in the National from 11st 12lb to 11st 10lb, and who's to say he won't offer us another inducement when he frames the handicap.

"As Denman is rated 182, the Grand National handicap is going to look very interesting."

Not surprisingly plenty of punters have latched onto those comments and Denman's Grand National price has since collapsed.

Plenty of 16s was available but Denman is now as short as 7/1 favourite with totesport and no bigger than 10/1.

Sporting Life / Eurosport

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  1. I think he will run richielee, provided he's sound, but for once he won't be carrying any of my money. I backed him in last year's Gold Cup to beat Kauto Star much to the amusement of my racing buddies piling onto Kauto. They weren't laughing when I collected. I was, it was one of the very few good racing decisions I made in '08!! So I am a Denman fan, but I think the hype has now gone too far for the connections to back off.
    Paul Whitaker, Leeds

    From Topadman, on Sun 4 Jan 12:49PM

  2. FOOLS will rush in and back DENMAN for the NATIONAL.....................he won't run in it for at least another TWO YEARS!!

    From Richie, on Sat 3 Jan 6:53PM

  3. i would have liked to see denman win another gold cup luck plays a big part in the national.good luck to him

    From sue b, on Sat 3 Jan 2:48PM

  4. Mmm, interesting...There seems to be something about the National that owners can't resist but there's always that "but" about the race in terms of fate taking a hand. I was at Aintree and saw Kauto Star run a couple of days before the National in '08 and he ran very creditably, just getting touched off by Young Vic, so maybe Denman should take his chance. If he was my horse I wouldn't run him but Nicholls is a top man and I guess we should respect his opinion - on the basis he wouldn't run him if there were any doubts.
    Paul Whitaker, Leeds

    From Topadman, on Sat 3 Jan 1:04PM
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