• Horse Racing

Favourite Denman out of Scottish National

ESPN staff
April 12, 2010
Denman was the runner-up at last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup © Getty Images
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Denman has been ruled out of Scottish National at Ayr on Saturday.

The runner-up at last month's Cheltenham Gold Cup was the 5/2 favourite for Saturday's 3.25, but trainer Paul Nicholls made the decision to not to run Denman with the going expected to be too firm for the 10-year-old.

"I spoke to [joint-owner] Paul Barber, and basically it's going to be a dry, warm, windy week," Nicholls told Racing Post.

"Even if Ayr water, the ground is not going to be right for him, so we have made an early decision not to run - that will make life a darn sight easier for everyone else planning for the race."

Denman will now be prepared for the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown on April 21, where he could be ridden by Tony McCoy, after Ruby Walsh broke his arm after a heavy fall from Celestial Halo at Aintree on Saturday.

Jonjo O'Neill trained Don't Push It, winner of Saturday's Grand National with McCoy is due to run, while Nicholls' National runners Big Fella Thanks and Tricky Trickster are both doubtful.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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