RIVER FLOWS ON TO DENMAN

NATIVE RIVER is treading a tried and tested road en route to defending his Gold Cup title at Cheltenham in March.

Next stop for the chaser who, like all other thoroughbreds celebrates his birthday tomorrow, will be a trip to Newbury in February for the Denman Chase — a race in which he made a winning seasonal debut last year.

He also won the race in 2017 and owner Garth Broom (right), who heads up the Brocade Racing syndicate in whose colours Native River runs, not surprisingly sees the Denman as a perfect stepping stone to Cheltenham.

”All being well Native River will come back for the Denman Chase, as long as it is not frosted off and all is well with the horse and the ground.

That is much Plan A,” said Broom.

He admitted he was delighted with the horses effort when a staying on third to Clan Des Obeaux in last week’s King George very at Kempton — a race run on a righthanded track which didn’t suit.

“We were very pleased with him at Kempton as he stayed on really strongly. It was a good run given it was going right-handed and the track was against him but I would have thought we won’t go back for the King George next year.”

“The Denman has worked out well the last two years. It is usually a small field but more importantly, the timing is right, as it is a month before Cheltenham.

“The other thing is it gives the horse a nice prep run to open up his lungs before the Gold Cup.”