Awesome Denman delivers in super style
The superb eight-year-old, magnificently handled by Sam Thomas, broke Kauto Star’s spirit with an exhilarating exhibition of jumping and staying power.
In doing so, he proved himself one of the best winners of the Gold Cup in recent years. Indeed, those who believed he was the proverbial monster could not have been more right.
For trainer, Paul Nicholls, it was the ideal result, with Neptune Collonges giving him a clean sweep of the principal placings.
Sam Thomas rode the perfect race, taking a lead in the early part of the contest from Neptune Collonges, until deciding it was time to begin the long slog for home with fully a circuit to cover.
Gradually, Thomas wound it up and soon the pace quickened appreciably. The plan was to test Kauto Star’s stamina to the full and it worked a treat.
Denman roared down to the third last, as Ruby Walsh began to send out distress signals on Kauto Star.
Denman did get in tight to the obstacle, but it was an irrelevancy as he turned to face the second last 10 lengths clear.
Kauto Star, whose jumping left plenty to be desired, was now struggling to get past Neptune Collonges and was without hope.
Denman, trained in Ireland as a point-to-pointer by Adrian Maguire, bounded across the final two fences and was never going to stop up the hill.
Kauto Star was a comfortable second away from the last, but his legs started to buckle and he was all out close home to hold on for the runner-up berth, just in front of Neptune Collonges, and still seven lengths adrift of the winner.
Walsh, to his credit, was the first to congratulate Thomas.
He had the choice between the pair, but isn’t the first jockey, and certainly won’t be the last, to get it completely wrong.
Thomas and Denman, light in the market and owned by Harry Findlay and Paul Barber, returned to an extraordinary reception, even by Cheltenham standards.
For Nicholls it was a third Gold Cup, to go with Kauto Star last year and See More Business in 1999.
Thomas was, understandably, ecstatic. “I’m lost for words,” he muttered.
“He’s some horse. I went through the race in my mind a million times over and it went exactly to plan.
“He’s given me a cracking ride. “I just let him do his own thing early on, that’s the best way to ride him, I think. It’s the end of a dream at the moment. I’m lost for words, I’m in my own little world.’
For Nicholls it was the culmination of a whole season’s planning. “That was a great performance,” he exclaimed.
“When we schooled Denman on Monday, I’ve never seen him look better. And what a brilliant man Paul Barber is, he just let’s us get on with it.”
Nicholls went on: “Denman definitely won’t run again this season. I’ll talk to Clive Smith and see about Kauto, while Neptune Collonges will go to Punchestown again.”
The colourful Findlay backed the eight-year-old ante-post to win over £500,000. The renowned gambler gave Thomas a mighty bear-hug in the winner’s enclosure. “I told you guys (journalists) what would happen’, said Findlay. “It’s gone word-perfect, this is unbelievable.
“We had to do everything to break Kauto Star’s heart and that’s what we did. Sam was awesome. It was just like in the Hennessy (Newbury).
“Paul has done a brilliant job. This is a unique day and I’m really proud to be part of it.” Paul Barber, who owned See More Business, said: “My ambition in life was to milk 1,000 cows and win a Gold Cup. Now I milk 2,000 cows and wanted two Gold Cups to go with them.”
Walsh said of Kauto Star: “The best horse won on the day. Sam picked it up down the back and I knew I couldn’t get to him at that stage. That’s horse racing.
“I never felt Kauto was travelling. Denman was going a good old gallop, but no quicker than the horses in the Tingle Creek two years ago and Kauto should have been able to travel, but didn’t.”
Asked whether he should have chosen to ride Denman, the response was to the point: “That’s probably the most ridiculous question I have ever been asked. It’s racing and sometimes you get it wrong.”
Denman, born on April 17, 2000, is by Presenting out of a mare called Polly Puttens. He was bred by Colman O’Flynn near Fermoy.
