Soggy conditions are certainly playing havoc with participants on the Flat, but Paul Nicholls, the champion National Hunt trainer, is plotting a route to the Cheltenham Gold Cup for his major hopes.

Soggy conditions are certainly playing havoc with participants on the Flat, but Paul Nicholls, the champion National Hunt trainer, is plotting a route to the Cheltenham Gold Cup for his major hopes.

Reigning champion Denman is said to have summered well and, although he has not yet been given any severe tests on his home gallops, the early signs are that he is as good as ever.

Nicholls admits nothing is firmly set, but he hopes to have the animal ready for a return to action in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, a race in which he was so impressive last season.

"It has been well documented that Denman came back to us quite big and he is just doing light cantering at the moment," said Nicholls. "He has been doing everything we've asked of him and I couldn't be happier at the moment.

"We will take our time and the main thing is just getting the miles into him and we won't rush him back into fast work. Our first main target is the Hennessy, but as with all these horses, nothing is certain at the moment."

Kauto Star, winner of the previous year's Gold Cup, could only chase Denman's shadow up the Cheltenham hill in March, but Nicholls believes it is far too soon to be writing him off yet.

"Kauto is in good order and looks fantastic," the trainer claimed. "Again, there are no definite plans of where he will go, but it's likely he will start off in the Betfair Chase at Haydock, and what I would like to do with him is win the King George at Kempton for a third time.

"Hopefully, Denman and Kauto won't meet before the Gold Cup again this season, but it's a long year and a lot can happen."