Denman's owner Harry Findlay in playful mood with Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith in London on Thursday

  PICTURE: Mark Cranham  

Findlay plays down Denman Gold Cup claim

HARRY FINDLAY was playing down Denman's chances of success over Kauto Star in next week's Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Thursday, as he admitted it would take a "phenomenal performance" by his horse to dethrone the champion next Friday.

In stark contrast to two years ago when he predicted the horse he co-owns with Paul Barber would "crush" his rival at the Cheltenham Festival, Findlay said he would be satisfied with second place this time round.

"I think it is going to take a phenomenal performance to beat Kauto Star," he said at a London lunch to publicise the Gold Cup clash.

Tony McCoy and Denman were reunited on Thursday morning for the first time since they parted company in the Aon Chase at Newbury last month. The jockey put the ten-year-old over six obstacles - two hurdles, two schooling fences and two proper fences.

Findlay added: "I think he is trained so much for this minute. On the good ground Kauto Star is going to be so hard to beat, that's why to even think you have a chance of doing it is a buzz.

"I'm gutted he didn't win at Newbury so we could have a real match and I would like to have had the confidence to really fancy the job, but three years down the line we are still here, first and second favourite, so we'll take that."

Kauto Star's owner, Clive Smith, gave a glowing bulletin on his horse while still having respect for Denman.

Smith said: "I have been informed that he is just sparkling at the moment on the gallops and Paul and Clifford Baker could not be more pleased with him. I believe Denman's mishap at Newbury is in the past and Paul will have him spot-on on the day and I also think Tony McCoy will be great on the day so we have some serious opposition.

"As long as Kauto just gets over the first couple of fences and gets into a rhythm he does look very impressive. I can never say I'm not worried about him but I have a lot of confidence in him."

Read Paul Nicholls' and Tony McCoy's views on Denman in Friday's Racing Post - buy the online newspaper from 9am

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