Paul Nicholls has not ruled out running Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Denman again this season.

Options for Paul Barber and Harry Findlay's 10-year-old could include the totesport Bowl at Aintree, in which he fell last season, and the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup.

"Denman is fine - I think he looks after himself a little now. He doesn't give himself such a hard race, which is sensible, and he comes out of his races a lot better. I'm going to have a chat with Paul and Harry to see if there is another plan for him this year yet," the Ditcheat handler told At The Races.

Nicholls also confirmed that vanquished champion Kauto Star is unscathed after his nasty fall on Friday, adding: "Kauto has amazed me because I was a little bit concerned about him on Friday night because he was very hot, very sore and bothered. But on Saturday morning he was OK and he trotted out 100% sound."

Nicholls could also be tempted to run dual World Hurdle winner Big Buck's back over fences at some stage in his career.

"Big Buck's fell in a Hennessy but before that he beat Albertas Run in a Grade Two at Aintree, so he's up there with the best on that form," he continued.

"It depends what happens with Kauto and co. because Ruby (Walsh) is very important to Big Buck's.

"He is only seven so I suspect we'll go for another World Hurdle and then look at chasing after that, but nothing is set in stone.

"It's nice to have Big Buck's in the background. He's very talented, probably as talented as anything we've got, but he's also been a bit quirky. But you don't mind that."

John Oxx's exciting prospect Arazan is still not ready for a return to the track after suffering another setback last week.

The Anabaa colt has been off the track since finishing third in the 2008 National Stakes having suffered a number of problems during what Oxx hoped would be a Classic-winning campaign last year. The trainer still retains plenty of faith in his four-year-old but is unsure when he will make his belated return.

"Unfortunately he's had a setback in the last week so he is going to miss the Gladness Stakes and the alternative which was probably the Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown a week later," Oxx told At The Races.

"I'm not sure how long this latest setback is going to hold him up for but he's not cantering at the moment and won't be doing any fast work next week.

"Up to that point he had been doing well and was in great shape but we'll just have to see now how the next week or two goes.

"We're looking forward to him and he would be our flagship horse this year, but it's a long time since he's raced and it's a long road back.

"He had really been showing us a lot last spring and we were delighted with him in the run-up to the 2000 Guineas, but that was a long time ago now and I wouldn't make any predictions.

"He's a potential top-class horse, a potential Group One winner and he has a very good pedigree as a half-brother to Azamour.

"Obviously he's a horse you'd have to give every chance to as he's a potential stallion.

"I suppose if he was just a handicapper he would have been on his way to the sales by now."

Eddie Harty is keen to let the dust settle before deciding whether his beaten Arkle Trophy favourite Captain Cee Bee will run again this season.

The writing was on the wall for the nine-year-old's supporters a long way from home and he passed the post eighth of the 12 finishers, but he was found to have burst a blood vessel on returning to the unsaddling area.

"He's home in one piece and seems well in himself. He's sound and everything like that but he burst the other day and it's one of those things. He was in very good form going there but you can't legislate for things like that unfortunately and he's just having a small break at the moment," said Harty.

"We'll monitor the situation and see how he is before making plans for the rest of the season and hopefully at some stage we'll all sit down and have a chat.

"He did it at Aintree a couple of years ago and that was completely out of the blue as well, but we're not really sure what's causing it to happen. I think it's a culmination of things that happens over the course of a season and we may have to rethink things going forward.

"Some horses are just prone to it and it can come at any time, so it's just unfortunate. At least we've got a reason for why the horse ran badly and it would be far worse if we didn't. We'll see how he is but hopefully he can come back and rectify the situation."

Donald McCain admits he is tempted to head to Aintree with Peddlers Cross after he maintained his unbeaten record in the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The five-year-old was stepping up in trip at the Festival following an impressive victory over an extended two miles at Haydock, but he bounded up the hill to win a shade cosily.

McCain said: "He's come out of it in tremendous nick and he doesn't know what to do with himself. We'll sit down and have a week to think about what we do next but the way he's come out of it at the moment, Aintree would be very tempting."

He added: "Although we had a good think about which race we were going to run in at Cheltenham, we always thought two and a half miles round Aintree would be ideal.

"Having won at Cheltenham we don't have to do anything now and we won't be going to Aintree for the sake of it."

As far as next season goes, McCain is still undecided whether to send his five-year-old over fences or remain over the smaller obstacles.

"I see he's got quotes for the Champion Hurdle, the World Hurdle, the Arkle and the RSA Chase - I'm glad everyone else is as confused as me," the trainer added.

"All those are up in the air at the moment, we've won our race at Cheltenham and that's our job done for the time being, we've got plenty of time to decide on everything else.

"He's the first Grade One horse we've had and as he's still young you'd expect him to keep improving.

"That was the first time he's really come off the bridle the other day and looking at the way he's come out of the race, we've certainly not got to the bottom of him, so it's very, very exciting."

Colin Tizzard is considering a trip to the Punchestown Festival for Cue Card following his devastating display in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Sent off at 40-1 despite an impressive debut at Fontwell in January, the four-year-old was still on the bridle turning for home and scooted up the Prestbury Park hill to score by eight lengths.

"He's come out of it in really good form but we haven't really discussed what's going to happen next. There's really only two options. One is for him to go out into the field and the other is for him to go to Punchestown, but we'll see," said Tizzard.

"He's absolutely bolted up on the day and obviously I wasn't expecting him to go and win like that, but I thought he ticked every box. He scooted up on his debut and Joe (Tizzard, jockey) had a job to pull him up. He was almost in the back straight before he stopped him and I always think that's a sign of a good horse."

With Cue Card seemingly having speed to burn and his dam having won over three miles and competed in a Grand National, Tizzard feels his charge could be the complete package.

"He's a very well-bred horse and has so much pace," the trainer continued.

"His dam won over three miles so there is stamina there as well, so he has everything really and we'd be guessing where he's going to end up.

"He hasn't schooled over hurdles yet but if we decide to miss Punchestown he might just have a jump over one or two before he goes out for the summer. I'm sure he'll take to it as everything he's done has been very good.

"Hopefully there is a lot to look forward to and if I can't get excited about a horse like this I might as well give up!"

Ballabriggs could be prepared for a tilt at Aintree's Topham Chase following his heart-stopping victory in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The nine-year-old appeared to have the race in safe-keeping heading to the final fence, but began to empty up the punishing hill and passed the post just half ahead of Faasel. Trainer Donald McCain admits his charge was tired after his exertions, but said he could still tackle the Grand National fences next month.

McCain said: "It was no surprise to me that nearly 12st over three and a quarter miles round Cheltenham was stretching him a bit, but we got away with it. He was quite tired afterwards but he's fine now. We've thought about going for the Topham with him all year, really, and that would still be a possibility."

The McCain name has become synonymous with the Grand National down the years thanks to the exploits of three-time winner Red Rum and Amberleigh House.

Ballabriggs could also end up in the world's most famous race.

"If he's won over three and a quarter miles round Cheltenham you'd have to think he could be very competitive in a Grand National if he takes to the course," added the Cholmondeley handler.

"It is a place the owner (Trevor Hemmings) likes to go with his horses and it's obviously a place we like to go with our horses.

"Ballabriggs could definitely make up into an Aintree horse."

Restless Harry could be prepared for a return to Cheltenham next month after suffering a final flight fall in Friday's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.

Robin Dickin's pride and joy went into the Grade One contest with leading claims having scored at the track in January but having made much of the running, he was tiring into third when coming to grief.

Dickin is delighted to report the six-year-old is none the worse and said: "He's a little bit tired, but he's absolutely fine. He's free in his action and is nice and sound, so thank goodness he's OK. We didn't get the money, but we have got a beautiful horse - he proved that on on the day."

The trainer added: "I haven't discussed it with his owner but, weather permitting, he'll probably go to Cheltenham for the April meeting - rather than go to Aintree."

Tommy Stack saddled the winner of the first race of the Irish turf Flat season as High Award came home best in the Tally Ho Stud EBF Maiden at the Curragh.

First-season sire Holy Roman Emperor had two representatives in the race - Emperor Hadrian, trained by Aidan O'Brien, and the cosy 9-2 winner.

Drawn widest of all in stall 12, Wayne Lordan's mount saw plenty of daylight throughout, but that did not hamper him. The son of Irish Guineas 1000 winner Tarascon looked a nice prospect in beating Jim Bolger's Suntan by three-quarters of a length.

"He's a tough horse. He doesn't kill himself at home, as you can see by the size of his belly," said the trainer's assistant Fozzy Stack.

"We'll run him back in a winners' race, probably the Marble Hill. He's never sweated in his life before and is usually a cool dude. He's never been away from home and the horse getting upset beside him in the stalls didn't help. He'll be better going six furlongs and might turn into an Ascot horse."

Stack obviously has his horses in rude health as Blue Dahlia was given a positive ride by young Mark Enright to win the Join "Go Racing In Kildare" Maiden.

The Shamardal filly had a fitness edge over her rivals, having run at Dundalk just nine days previously, and swooped down the outside of the field at halfway, benefiting from her rider's 10lb claim.

Bolger's Majestic Dancer began to warm to her task with a furlong to run, but it was her lesser-fancied stablemate, Rock Medley, who who proved the biggest threat to the 10-1 winner, eventually going down by three-quarters of a length.

"I'm a bit surprised. She was working very well before Dundalk but maybe she didn't handle the surface or didn't like being crowded because it didn't go to plan," said Fozzy Stack.

"The kid gave her a good ride and didn't disappoint her. There is a six-furlong handicap at Cork for her over Easter."

Donal Devereux looks set to be on the sidelines for at least another six weeks after suffering multiple injuries in a fall at Doncaster earlier this month.

The 5lb claimer, who rides for Peter Bowen, was partnering the John Mackie-trained Flash Harriet in the sportingbet.com Novices' Handicap Hurdle on Town Moor when the pair came to grief at the first flight.

Bowen said: "He is improving all the time but I think it will be another six weeks before he can think about returning to ride. He suffered a broken jaw and smashed his eye socket as well, but it could have been a lot worse. It was an awful fall and really, he's lucky to be alive."

Imperial Commander received a thunderous reception at his homecoming the day after landing the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Well-wishers, friends, fans - including two who had travelled to Cheltenham from America - and family members numbering 300 lined the narrow road outside The Hollow Bottom pub in Guiting Power, Gloucestershire.

The Gold Cup itself was delivered by Imperial Commander's owners, Our Friends In The North, and trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies grinned proudly as the applause grew ever louder.

Cameras flashed and TV crews followed his every move as he stood clad in his duffel coat and cords, pint of lager in hand and with the Gold Cup placed mischievously on his head.

Next to appear was the hero himself, followed by Grand Annual winner Pigeon Island and Baby Run, who made all under the trainer's son, Sam, just 40 minutes after the Gold Cup in the Foxhunter Chase.

A handful of locals, including the pub's chef, climbed out on to the roof of The Hollow Bottom and called on the crowd for three cheers for the trainer and his squad.

Twiston-Davies said: "I feel great, and it is a great relief to have it all done and dusted. There's an awful lot of people here and he has got a great reception.

"It is a relief that he has gone and done it. I was always hopeful he would ruin the party, and he has. Everyone was saying 'Who will win? Kauto or Denman?' and it was neither!

"The whole day on Friday was very, very good and I am chuffed to bits. Imperial and Sam were wonderful and I loved seeing little Pigeon powering up the hill as he is a favourite in the yard and has won so many times for us."

Sam Twiston-Davies missed Friday night's festivities and was labelled a "sensible boy" by his father, who himself acted with restraint and headed home at 11pm, adding: "I know when I am full."