Denman’s Irish boost for Gold Cup

Denman, who broke the heart of Ollie Magern and two others when winning the Aon Chase at Newbury on Saturday, had put The Listener firmly in his place when having the grey over four lengths back in third in the Lexus Chase on December 28.

This time Daryl Jacob, mindful of the fact that he was mugged on the line by Beef Or Salmon in this race last year, set a sensible pace in front before quickening away two fences from home.

He was always stalked by fellow English raider Turko, Denman's stablemate, who stayed on resolutely to retain second place, five-and-a-half lengths behind the 2-1 favourite with Grand National market leader Snowy Morning half a length away in third.

Trainer Robert Alner, still in hospital following his car crash in November, will have received a great boost as he watched the race, but there is still some doubt whether The Listener will take on Kauto Star and Denman in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham four weeks on Friday.

Alner's assistant Nick Mitchell said: "I've never had any doubts about the three miles, he's won round here before on really heavy ground. Daryl's ride was fantastic. But this is all for Robert. I hope he was watching. 'He did jump a little to his right but he does that on better ground. He's in the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup and I'll have to talk to the owners about where he goes. But if there's no rain he won't be there."

Jacob felt that the Ryanair was the race for him. He said: "If it came up soft I'd go for the Ryanair."

Trainer Paul Nicholls was delighted with Turko, knowing that he is much the inferior of his stable companions Kauto Star and Denman. He said: "Ground permitting, Kauto Star will go to Ascot on Saturday."

However, owner Clive Smith, who also has the new Champion Chase favourite Master Minded, after that horse's win at Newbury on Saturday, says Kauto Star's alternative prep race is the Racing Post Chase at Kempton the following Saturday.

TRACK TALK

CLOUDY LANE consolidated his Grand National claims with an impressive win under top weight at Ayr on Saturday. Owner Trevor Hemmings said: "He'll have one more run before the National at Doncaster in the Grimthorpe Chase (March 1). He needs a run about four or five weeks prior to the National to make sure he has enough rest."

OUIJA BOARD, the dual Oaks winner, had a bay colt foal (by Kingmambo) at owner Lord Derby's Stanley Stud in Newmarket late on Saturday evening. The Breeders' Cup heroine is due to be sent to Germany next month to be covered by one of their top sires, Monsun.