Paul Nicholls admits Kempton is not the ideal track for reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman as he prepares to make his comeback in the hastily-arranged Levy Board Chase.
The Grade Two contest is a substitute for the Aon Chase which was abandoned along with the remainder of Newbury's high-class Saturday card.
Denman has been off the track since his famous Cheltenham triumph due to a fibrillating heart, and Nicholls is just delighted officials have managed to rescue the race to give his charge a chance to run before his Gold Cup defence.
However, the meeting must survive an 8am inspection, although hopes are high.
‘It's great news they have rearranged the race and now we have just got to hope that Kempton gets the go-ahead,’ said Nicholls.
‘Kempton is obviously not ideal and I would never have wanted to run him in a King George round there but we have got to run somewhere.
‘He has won three times right-handed, twice at Wincanton and once at Exeter and in the circumstances, we have got to run him.
‘He's in good form and is well ready to run. He's done all of his prep work and had a nice gallop round Wincanton last week with Ruby (Walsh) on board,’ the champion trainer told Teletext.
‘He's done plenty of schooling and we just need to get a run now. Hopefully he retains his form.’
The three-mile contest will still hold its Grade Two status and will be run for the same amount of prize-money as the Aon, but the entries went back to the five-day stage and declarations have had to be made again.
Denman will face just six rivals including King George VI runner-up Albertas Run.
David Pipe runs An Accordion and Madison du Berlais, while Joe Lively takes his chance for Colin Tizzard.
The field is completed by Niche Market and 2005 Hennessy Gold Cup hero Trabolgan.
