Denman now homing in on favouritism

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The Old Course, on which today's opening action takes place, and the New Course, which stages races on the last two days, are now rated good to soft.

Rain gain: Denman loved the rain in November when landing the Hennessey

Bookmakers, who expect more than £650 million to be wagered over the four days, have cut Denman to 6-4 from 7-4 for Friday's race, with Kauto Star generally at 11-10.

Rain-softened going is widely perceived to favour Denman rather than the current holder of the blue riband chase.

Officials breathed a sigh of relief when they discovered that only one of the temporary hospitality restaurants, adjacent to the final furlong, had felt the full brunt of yesterday's storm.

Champion jockey Tony McCoy, still looking for his first winner after six comeback rides, has snubbed fancied Irish raider Captain Cee Bee to partner the Nicky Henderson-trained Binocular in today's opening race, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Both hopefuls are owned by JP McManus, to whom McCoy is retained.