Former National Hunt star Denman was back in action at the weekend — this time in a team chase.
The 15-year-old gelding took part in the intermediate at the Pytchley in Northants (11 October), partnered by Charlotte Alexander.
Charlotte said the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner “absolutely loved it”. The team finished second, with Denman picking up his first rosette.
“He found it easy and was very pleased with himself,” she added. “I’m thrilled with him as he is improving all the time.”
Denman has been based with Charlotte in Gloucestershire since 2012 and has settled in nicely to a new career in hunting and team chasing.
At the weekend the pair were part of Team Rideaway with Stephen Clark and Joe Stephenson.
“I ran Denman with a good fast team and this made all the difference as he settled well in third position,” she said.
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“He gave me the most amazing feeling. He jumped all the timber very accurately, so that’s thanks to Brian Hutton at Talland who has given up so much time to help with his accuracy.
“The effortlessness with which he crosses the country and skips over the fences is truly amazing.
“He enjoyed it so much as did I as I did not get my arms pulled out due to the speed that my team were running at. It was a great result for Denman to come second in the intermediate.”
Charlotte also ran with the team to win the open with her other ex-racehorse Kahrayn.
She added that she’s limited as to when she can run Denman though due to the ground.
“He likes to have a bit of cut and with a dry week forecast, we will go autumn hound training on Saturday instead,” she added
“Denman has lost none of his joi de vive and yet when he is tied to the back of the trailer, he goes to sleep along with my other horses while he is waiting for his turn.”
Photos by Paul Carley.
