Denman and Kauto kept apart

The country's top-two chasers, Denman and Kauto Star, will not meet before the Cheltenham Gold Cup says trainer Paul Nicholls.

The stablemates met in the season's showpiece in March when Denman prevailed by seven lengths and the Ditcheat trainer is plotting very different campaigns for the pair.

Denman is likely to reappear in Newbury's Hennessy Gold Cup, a race in which he cruised to victory by 11 lengths last season, while Kauto Star will bid for a third win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock before attempting another hat-trick in the King George at Kempton.

Nicholls has confirmed that he is pleased with the condition of both horses after their summer break but he does not want them to clash before The Festival.

"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," Nicholls told the Racing Post.

The pair dominate the Gold Cup betting with no obvious dangers to them in the market. Punters can claim a £25 free stake on either horse or indeed any race now.