Denman heads Aon nine
Tuesday, 9 February 2010 13:50Denman will face a maximum of eight rivals when Tony McCoy partners the 2008 Gold Cup hero for the first time in the Aon Chase at Newbury on Saturday.
The 10-year-old is unbeaten in five races at the Berkshire track, including the Hennessy under top weight last November, and he took this race the month before his finest hour at Cheltenham.
McCoy is looking forward to getting the leg up on the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding.
'Obviously I'm going to ride him on Saturday. I'm very lucky the owners, Harry Findlay and Paul Barber, are letting me ride him and Paul Nicholls as well,' McCoy told At The Races.
'He's going to Newbury then I'll look forward to Cheltenham after that.
'If any horse can beat Kauto Star, hopefully it will be him.
'I'm going to speak to Paul tonight and see if he wants me to sit on him before Saturday.'
Nicholls has also put in Tricky Trickster while Charlie Mann has entered his stable star Air Force One.
The Bob Buckler-trained Niche Market could take on Denman again after finishing third in the Hennessy.
Dessie Hughes' Siegemaster is the sole Irish possible while the list is completed by Ollie Magern, Nacarat, Oniz Tiptoes and Wee Robbie.
