02.04.09 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

DENMAN 'OKAY' SAYS NICHOLLS

Trainer Paul Nicholls said Denman was 'okay' following his fall in the totesport Bowl Chase.

Last year's totesport Gold Cup winner (and runner-up in that race last month) was upsides eventual winner Madison Du Berlais when guessing at the second-last fence, hitting the birch, and taking a heavy fall.

The nine-year-old quickly rose to his feet and cantered past the stands to the collection area, where he was examined by a vet. Screens were erected, as is normal practise on racecourses when horses are being treated by veterinary officers.

A horse ambulance drove onto the course and Denman walked on board to be taken away for further treatment.

Paul Nicholls said: "Denman's got a really nasty cut on the point of his elbow, but he seems okay.

"He was walking around behind the screens and walked onto the trailer [horse ambulance]. He's gone off to be examined by the vet."

Jockey Sam Thomas was clearly disappointed, and said: "He would have won. He just stepped at the fence - I don't know why.

'He jumped brilliantly up to that point, carried me into the fences and felt good."