Thomas to partner Denman in Gold Cup

Denman's joint-owner Harry Findlay has confirmed that Sam Thomas will keep the ride in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Speculation had been mounting that Tony McCoy would be offered the mount as the champion jockey was as short as 2-5 with some bookmakers to pick up the ride.

Denman made a rather lacklustre reappearance after 11 months off at Kempton on Saturday, when he was ridden by Ruby Walsh.

But with Walsh set to partner Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, Findlay says Thomas will be back on board when the pair bid for a repeat win in the blue riband event on 13 March.

‘I've been away for two months, but when I went away the plan was for Ruby to ride Kauto and Sam to ride Denman,’ said Findlay.

‘I've seen nothing since that would make us change that decision.

‘Sam rode five winners in two days recently and as far as I'm concerned, he'll be on Denman if he gets to the Gold Cup.

‘I'm pretty sure that's how it will be.

‘That was how it was on Thursday night when we were in the pub and I wasn't at Kempton.

‘I haven't heard that anything has changed since then,’ he told Racing UK.