Denman has been virtually ruled out of the Cognac Gold Cup after it was revealed he was suffering from an irregular heartbeat.

Denman, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with a seven-length demolition of former champion Kauto Star, is expected to miss the race at Newbury on November 29 - with a Christmas return more likely.

And trainer Paul Nicholls told The Racing Post: "I've not been happy with Denman ever since he came back into work in mid-July.

"He's been very lethargic, not looking good and he lost a bit of weight rapidly, so we had him examined by Geoff Land and Buffy Shirley-Bevan, our vet.