Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is giving serious consideration to letting Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Denman turn out for the totesport Bowl at Aintree next month.

Winner of the blue riband 12 months ago, the nine-year-old had looked a shadow of his former self when a distant second on his seasonal reappearance in the Levy Board Chase at Kempton in February.

However, he bounced back in brilliant style to chase home his stablemate Kauto Star a week ago.

Nicholls believes there is every chance he will now head to Merseyside in a bid to get back on the winning trail.

Speaking on Racing UK, Nicholls said Denman had thrived since the Gold Cup and that it was now 'likely he will run at Aintree'.