Devastating Denman Grabs Gold

We waited for so long to see it and the event lived up to all the pre race hype as Denman bulldozed Kauto Star into submission to capture the Tote Sport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The most talked about horse race since Arkle met Mill House in this same race forty years ago matched all the expectations that had been expected of the two great horses.

In truth the match between Paul Nicholls star chasers never really materialised as Denman treated the sold out crowd to an exhibition round of jumping, to which Kauto Star had no answer to.

The big horse took up the lead going on to the final circuit and in truth he never looked like giving up the lead as he forced his rivals into mistake after mistake.

He came home in front fully eight lengths in front of Kauto Star with their stable-mate Neptune Collonges staying on into third, a result which gave trainer Paul Nicholls a memorable 1-2-3 in the big race.

After the race Paul Nicholls was understandably delighted with how the race unfolded, and had high praise for his new champion. “Denman was awesome” said the trainer. “He galloped, jumped and never put a foot wrong. He ran a career best today”

Sam Thomas, who came in for the ride on Denman when Ruby Walsh chose to ride Kauto Star was overcome by what he had seen as he bagged the biggest winner of his career. “I can’t describe the feeling right now” explained the winning jockey. “He jumped brilliantly. He loved it out in front. This season has been a fairytale and this is the icing on the cake”

The connections of the vanquished champion Kauto Star took defeat on the chin, but made it clear that they would be back for a re-match next year. “He got beaten by a better horse” explained owner Clive Smith. “Kauto didn’t jump as well as he can. Whether it was the ground or not we are not going to make any excuses”

- Alan Conway