Carruthers held up by Denman decision

Denman will scare away at least one potential opponent if he lines up in the Grade 2 Argento Chase at Cheltenham.

Should trainer Paul Nicholls run his 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and dual Hennessy winner in the £100,000 event, then connections of the promising Carruthers will skip the extended three-mile contest. The seven-year-old, who is owned by Lord Oaksey and trained by his son-in-law Mark Bradstock, was an impressive winner at Newbury last month.

Bradstock's wife, Sarah, said: "We'll go where Denman doesn't run.

"There is no point in taking him on until the Gold Cup.

"We will run in the Aon Chase at Newbury if Paul decides to run at Cheltenham - he's not being very helpful in making the decision for us at the moment, though!

"So if Denman doesn't take part on Saturday, Carruthers will.

"He's in good form and he's improved for his last run."