Harry Findlay has admitted Denman’s task of beating favourite Kauto Star (4/6 ante-post) in the Gold Cup will be even more difficult if, as expected, the going is declared good for the Festival next week.

Denman’s chances have been hit by the good weather forecast for Cheltenham and his price has generally drifted slightly in the market in recent days (9/2 currently with totesport).

Findlay says the horse is still in good shape but conceded the going looks set to go against him.

“The Tank (Denman) is fine. It will be harder on good ground but not impossible,” he said.

Meanwhile. Findlay also says his Coral Cup favourite Beshabar (9/1 ante-post) is unlikely to run next week unless there is “genuine soft” in the ground.

Beshabar is in superb form, winning on his last two starts at Sandown and Ascot, but he is a major doubt at this stage for next Wednesday’s race.

“He won’t run unless there is genuine soft in the ground,” said Findlay.

“He’ll run next year in the RSA on soft ground and we’ll all be lumping on.

“Paul Nicholls, to be fair, has done a great job with him because he had a year out.

“He left him short at Chepstow but he looked like a fish out of water when he won at Ascot over two and a half miles and I don’t want to ask him to go for the Coral Cup on good ground so we’ll wait for the novice chases next year,” he added.

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