Harry Findlay is expecting to once again take minor honours with Denman in Friday's totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
The oustpoken Findlay has admitted that he will be a satisfied man if the 2008 Gold Cup winner finishes an honest second to reigning champion Kauto Star in the highlight of the Festival.
"My wish is that Denman turns up and puts in a great performance," the legendary gambler admitted.
"If he turns up and gets beat two or three lengths by Kauto Star, then I will be thrilled.
"The day we won the Gold Cup, Tony McCoy said that the race would leave its mark and that we needed to be careful with him.
"I spoke to him last week and I think that he still half-thinks that.
"He might have won the Hennessy giving away two stone but I don't think it was the same Denman who won the Gold Cup. He was on fire that day.
"We are unlikely to be so aggressive this time but we had to do it then as it was the only way of beating Kauto Star.
"We had that nice, sticky ground in 2008 and that was harder for Kauto to jump out of.
"If we go off in front this time it will play to Kauto's strengths and Carruthers being in the race is great news for us as he will give us a tow and provide pace."