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.

Nicholls also confirmed that vanquished champion Kauto Star is unscathed after his nasty fall on Friday.

"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," said the Ditcheat handler.

"But Satu day morning he was OK and he trotted out 100% sound.

"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."

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 told At The Races.

"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."