London : Tony McCoy will ride Denman in next month's Cheltenham Gold Cup as Ruby Walsh, the first-choice rider, has remained loyal to stablemate Kauto Star.
The 14-time champion jockey has yet to ride Denman, but will be at the helm for the Aon Chase at Newbury this week before renewing acquaintance at Cheltenham.
Joint-owner Paul Barber told the Daily Telegraph: "In fairness to Paul Nicholls, we had to lay the ghost.
"I'm sure Ruby would have wanted another four weeks to decide, but we have reached our decision — McCoy rides."
Denman has only ever been ridden under Nicholls' tutelage by Walsh, Christian Williams and Sam Thomas.
Thomas did the steering when the popular chestnut won the 2008 Gold Cup, defeating the Walsh-ridden Kauto Star by seven lengths, but was also on board when he fell at Aintree last spring.
Barber feels the recruitment of McCoy will bolster the chances of Denman wresting away the Gold Cup from Kauto Star, who last year became the first horse in history to regain the Cheltenham showpiece.
