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

Nicholls admits nothing is set in stone, but hopes to have him ready for a return to action in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, a race in which he was hugely 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 with him at the moment.

"We will take our time and the main thing at the moment 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 really good order and looks absolutely fantastic," the trainer continued.

"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 really 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 between now and then."

Neptune Collonges gave Nicholls a memorable 1-2-3 in the Festival showpiece and his ultimate aims this term will be a return to Cheltenham and to attempt a hat-trick in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown.

"Neptune will probably be ready fairly early and again, I don't want him to clash with the other lads," Nicholls added.

"There is the James Nicholson Chase at Down Royal and the Charlie Hall at Wetherby so there are plenty of good races for him.

"The Gold Cup at Cheltenham and another trip to Punchestown will be the main targets for him."

Clive Cox has ruled Dunelight out of the totesport.com Celebration Mile at Goodwood on Saturday because of unsuitable conditions.

As the five-year-old will not get his preferred fast ground he will miss out on a return to the Sussex track, where he was fourth in this race 12 months ago and third to Paco Boy in the Betfair Cup last month.

"The ground's not going to be quick enough for Dunelight, it's very disappointing," said Cox.

"He's got lots of entries, but we're very much guided by how wet it's going to be."

Stan Moore is hoping to pick up a share of the prize money when he makes a two-pronged assault on the Tattersalls Ireland Sale Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Upper Lambourn trainer has yet to hit the jackpot in this race but he has collected some euros from his raids in the last few years as there is cash up for grabs down to 10th place.

Nikindi earned £13,000 for finishing fourth 12 months ago and Moore plans to send Flawless Diamond and Fong's Alibi over to Ireland this weekend.

"Flawless Diamond only won a seller last time but she's always worked really good at home and the blinkers seemed to have worked on her. She'll take her chance" he said.

"The ground will be very soft so it will be the survival of the fittest.

"They're a few good ones from trainers like Tom Dascombe and Mick Channon but there's prize money down to 10th so you might as well have a go."


TODAY'S BEST

DUKE'S DOUBLE

Zelos Girl (2.05 Great Leighs), nap and Leslingtaylor (6.10 Chester).

DUKE'S TREBLE

Zelos Girl, Leslingtaylor and Option Money (6.25 Fontwell).

JULIUS'S DOUBLE

Critical Stage (2.30 Stratford), nap and Igor Protti (4.25 Great Leighs).

FORMNAP

Critical Stage (2.30 Stratford).