Denman revisited

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harkback

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So just to open a whole new can of worms. All those of you who have posted about AP v ST as the right jock for Denman. Who would YOU put up if Denman was yours - out of ANY jockey riding today, not just AP or ST? And why?

Oh and to expand a bit would you as owner change trainers? And if so why?
 
Personally I would have kept Sam Thomas as he knows the horse and has already rode him to victory in a gold cup already.
I have nothing against Tony McCoy at all as I simply love the guy. He is an outstanding jockey and during my journalism days he was very, very kind to me. He comes across as being in awe of his stardom and achievements and I find that humbling, especially after what he has achieved in his career.
Yes he may want to win. But isn't that what most jockeys want?
If Sam could not ride the horse then I would have Tony if he were my horse and I would not change trainer either. Whether or not Nicholls trains Kauto Star and Denman who both have 'live' chances in the gold cup makes no odds. He does not treat either any differently. They are owned by different owners for a start and both sets of connections equally want their horse to win. I have a lot of admiration for the trainer as well as he is superb at placing his horses to win. He gives very frank interviews as well. Try talking to him yourself without all the tv cameras and a barrage of press in attendance, and see how frank he is. He once gave me a fantastic tip for a race after seeing a horse dead heat in a race by highlighting its next target and saying how much it would come on for the run. The said horse won and yet the paper I wrote for at the time decided not to include it in my piece which was their loss ( but most of all sadly the readers) as it duly won and I was on at double figures! He is one of the nicest trainers to interview and tells you how it is.
I would want my horse to be trained by a person like that anyway and he gets the results to boot!
 
Well that's easy, Ruby Walsh. ETS, no, I most certainly would not change trainers, PN does a blimmin fantastic job.
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Given that Ruby opted for Kauto, I'd put up either Timmy Murphy or Paul Carberry.

And I wouldn't change trainers, PN knows what he's doing.
 
I think that it doesn't matter who the jockey is Denman is a great horse that needs to do things his way. It's all well and good us 'armchair' trainers and jockeys to comment but I think a horse is only as good as he is on the day!! The gold cup will be a great race, BUT giving big D has only had 2 runs this season, had a bad season last year through his illness I think the gold cup will go to Kauto. The best horse on the day deserves the race.
On another note I would love to see big D in the grand national at some stage.
 
I would probably leave him with Paul Nicholls but if I had to change trainer he would go to Nicky Henderson.

As for jockey if Kauto wasn't running it would have to be Ruby if I couldn't have him it would be between Barry Geraghty and Choc Thornton.
 
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we would like ruby to be on kuato for his GC victory

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Here here
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On the horse he should be on
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As for trainer,most definately wouldnt change..PN is a legend
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Richard Johnston, a sympathetic and quiet but very talented jockey. I haven't looked up the records but I think he's always been runner-up to AP in the jockey's championship.

No question though, PN remains the trainer. Outstanding man!! And Ruby stays with Kauto.
 
I would have stuck with ST I think. Just because he knows the horse more than anything else.

Maybe if AP had more than 1 run before GC it might have worked better?
 
I would stick with AP, you want the best for your horse, which leaves you with a choice between AP and Ruby. Ruby is loyal to Kauto so AP it is.
I noticed the comment re Denman in the GN...when he won his 1st Hennessy I thought he had GN written all over him then...I know top weight and all that but sooner or later a horse will win carrying top weight again...Denman at his peak could do it...however he is lacking the consistency of old and I would hate for him to get hurt...plus I think the GN comes too soon after the gold cup for a horse to give a good account of himself in both, but if he is on top form, say next year maybe, I think it would make for fascinating watching for him to bypass the gold cup and run in the GN with Ruby on board instead.
 
I don't think Denman should be a GN horse, I think he's too heavy topped a horse and any semblance of the mistakes he can make could have awful consequences..........
 
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I think the GN comes too soon after the gold cup for a horse to give a good account of himself in both, but if he is on top form, say next year maybe, I think it would make for fascinating watching for him to bypass the gold cup and run in the GN with Ruby on board instead.

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L'Escargot and Garrison Savannah ring any bells? OK, Garry was second, but still gave a good account of himself IMO.
 
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I don't think Denman should be a GN horse, I think he's too heavy topped a horse and any semblance of the mistakes he can make could have awful consequences..........

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Agree with that.

The GN is too much of a lottery, and the odds would be too heavily stacked against Denman imho.

Re the OP question; Paul Nicholls to remain as trainer.

Jockeys - anybody but AP
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No seriously, I would prefer to see a less aggressive, quieter jockey on board, like Sam, Ruby, or Barry.

But, he who pays the piper, calls the tune.
When push comes to shove, Paul Nicholls has to do what the owners tell him to do, and AP will keep the ride, so I am really hoping that he gets some riding in on Denman, so that they can get the feel of one another better, before the big day.
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