Trainer Paul Nicholls is convinced Denman can return to form

Star jumper Denman is unlikely to be able to defend the Hennessy Gold Cup in November because of a heart problem.

Jump racing's Horse of the Year needs treatment for an irregular heartbeat, but trainer Paul Nicholls is convinced he will bounce back as strong as ever.

"I'm not a vet, but the electrics of the heart aren't working properly," Nicholls said about the eight-year-old Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.

"The Hennessy is going to be out I would have thought."

Denman enjoyed a superb season last year, adding the Lexus Chase and Aon Chase titles to the Hennessy before beating stablemate Kauto Star at Cheltenham at March.

Nicholls had already publicly stated he was slightly concerned at the condition of the horse since his return to light training in mid-July.

606: DEBATE Could this be the end to the great champ as most people know a irregular heartbeat is very serious for a race horse? wallace-no7 (U13360537)

"He wasn't himself when he came in and then lost a lot of weight quite quickly, which wasn't him at all," Nicholls said.

"He got very tired, very quickly schooling, so there was obviously something that was not quite right.

"He's going to Newmarket on Monday and he'll be there for a few days where he'll see a specialist in this field and they'll decide what treatment to give him," the trainer added.

"He's nowhere near as fit as I would like him and he's going to lose a fortnight now and there's no point rushing him.

"I'd rather take my time and have him ready to run at Christmas time. I don't think the fact he was so fat has caused it, it could have happened in the Gold Cup for all we know.

"From day one I have been concerned. I thought it was because he was heavy and he was just taking his time but he obviously hasn't been right and now we've sorted it out I hope it can be put right and we carry on as normal."