Brennan makes it a turn-up for the books
A contest billed as a duel between Paul Nicholls’ superstars, Kauto Star and Denman, proved nothing of the sort, with victory going to Imperial Commander and Galway-born rider, Paddy Brennan.
It was a fantastic training performance on the part of Nigel Twiston-Davies, who put his charge away specifically for this, after he disappointed in the King George at Kempton at Christmas.
Strictly on that running, he couldn’t possibly get anywhere near Kauto Star, who beat him about a furlong into fifth on that occasion. But Cheltenham is Imperial Commander’s track. Seven times he has tasted success and six of them have come at Prestbury Park.
Carruthers and Denman took them along at a spanking gallop, with Ruby Walsh content to sit in just behind on a smooth-moving Kauto Star.
This Gold Cup, however, was to change dramatically at the eighth fence. Kauto Star stepped right into the obstacle, was lucky to stand up and, essentially, his chance was gone.
He never filled one with confidence after that and was struggling to get in a blow when falling four from home.
Heading to the 16th Tony McCoy made his move, powering Denman ahead and throwing down the gauntlet to those behind. Imperial Commander was full of running, however, and Brennan was oozing confidence. Indeed, so confident was Brennan that he chose to take on Denman early in the straight. He clearly had no doubts regarding his horse’s stamina and Imperial Commander bounded to the front going to two out.
Denman tried hard to rally, under the McCoy drive, but could never get back at Imperial Commander and was seven lengths adrift at the line.
Aintree Grand National winner, Mon Mome, stayed on for third, ahead of a gallant Carruthers and Cooldine, who ran prominently for a lot of the trip.
“It’s by far the best day of my life”, said an elated Brennan. “I will never, never forget this, I am speechless, whatever I say now could be absolute bull!
“I am shocked, it hasn’t sunk in yet. I always believed in this fellow , he’s very good and still very young and could be around for a while.
“I’m sure winning the Grand national would be special, but this is the main race at the main meeting, this is the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
“I have won it now and it is a tremendous achievement, he is some ride over that trip. After the last, he picked up like a good horse.”
Twiston-Davies said: “I saw Kauto Star was in trouble a long way out and was feeling quite confident.
“I loved all the Kauto Star-Denman thing, I always thought we could beat them. Paul Nicholls has done a wonderful job with his two, but we need new horses coming through and ours is the best now.
“All you hacks say he doesn’t stay, so it will be the Ryanair next year! We always knew we were going to bloody win, or at least hoped we would. This is the Olympics of jump racing and we have won it. You can’t beat the Grand National, but this is good for the CV.
“I was getting sick of everyone saying he couldn’t stay. Why, why, why couldn’t he stay? Every time he has come to Cheltenham, he has powered up the hill and has always stayed. Paddy gave him a beautiful ride, very cool and sensible.”
McCoy said of Denman: “Second is better than third and better than Ruby ended up with, but I am still disappointed.
“At times he travelled well, coming down the hill he got hold of the bit, but when he went by the water he wanted to drop the whole lot.
“He ran in snatches, but ran his heart out. He didn’t do anything wrong, but was beaten by a better horse on the day. I really enjoyed riding him, it was a shame he got beaten.”
Reflecting on Kauto Star’s major blunder at the eighth, Walsh reflected: “It was a bad mistake and obviously had an affect on him.”
