Denman strides to spectacular Gold Cup win
Denman put up one of the best performances in recent memory to romp home under top weight in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.
The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old, last season's leading novice chaser, was barely troubled as he powered some 11 lengths clear under Sam Thomas at odds of 5-1.
Dream Alliance stayed on for a distant second, with Character Building and Madison Du Berlais claiming the minor places in a race that was all about Denman.
Thomas, deputising for the injured Ruby Walsh, has enjoyed an extraordinary week after scoring in the Betfair Chase on the winner's stablemate Kauto Star last weekend.
He told Channel 4 Racing: "I didn't think things could get much better after last weekend, but this fella is something else.
"They didn't go much of a gallop early on and I was surprised how settled he was - for his first run of the season I expected him to be keener and doing too much. But he's a different horse this time, he's so relaxed.
"I couldn't believe how strung out they were when I had a look round, I hadn't even got out of first gear at that stage."
Stan James and Betdirect make Denman and Kauto Star 2-1 joint-favourites for the Gold Cup and Thomas added: "They are both exceptional I know that much. Ruby has got a very difficult decision now."
Nicholls expects Denman to improve again.
He said: "He was fit enough to do himself justice and if he had been in the first five or six today, it would have been a huge run and he would have improved.
"I think he still will improve from today, but that was an awesome performance.
"Sam gave him a great ride. I told him to be fifth or sixth and if he bowls along in front then don't worry about it. I did say if he turned into the straight in front, he won't get beat from there."
Nicholls also paid tribute to Paul Barber, backer of his Ditcheat yard and joint-owner of Denman.
"Paul bought the horse with me and got Harry (Findlay) involved," he added.
"The first time we saw him in Ireland, we said we were going to have him and Paul deserves a lot of credit for putting a lot into the yard, buying horses like this and being patient."
Dream Alliance is 12-1 from 20-1 with VC Bet for the Coral Welsh National and trainer Philip Hobbs is considering the Chepstow event later this month.
He said: "He's run very well indeed. They seemed to go very steady early on and he has run on well at the end.
"The Welsh National would be the obvious race for him."
David Pipe trained fourth-placed Madison Du Berlais and his father, Martin, said: "It was an amazing performance by the winner but we were delighted with Madison, who is only a six-year-old."
Thomas was always prominent aboard Denman, who travelled well throughout, tracking the steady early pace set by Sir Rembrandt.
His task was made a little easier when favourite Snowy Morning came to grief at the top of the home straight on the first circuit, hampering Dom D'Orgeval in the process.
However, Thomas made his move at the next obstacle, taking a position upsides Sir Rembrandt before grabbing a definite advantage six from home.
The result hardly looked in doubt in the straight and although Denman appeared to tire a little when Thomas kicked on after the second-last, he proved a different class to his rivals.
Thomas, deputising for the injured Ruby Walsh, has enjoyed an extraordinary week after scoring in the Betfair Chase on the winner's stablemate Kauto Star last weekend.
He told Channel 4 Racing: "I didn't think things could get much better after last weekend, but this fella is something else.
"They didn't go much of a gallop early on and I was surprised how settled he was - for his first run of the season I expected him to be keener and doing too much. But he's different horse this time, he's so relaxed.
"I couldn't believe how strung out they were when I had a look round, I hadn't even got out of first gear at that stage."
Referring to reigning Gold Cup hero Kauto Star, he added: "They are both exceptional I know that much. Ruby has got a very difficult decision now."
Stan James and Betdirect now make Denman the 2-1 joint-favourite with Kauto Star for the Gold Cup and Nicholls expects today's winner to improve again.
"If we'd had any doubts about running him, obviously we wouldn't," he said.
"He was fit enough to do himself justice and if he had been in the first five or six today, it would have been a huge run and he would have improved.
"I think he still will improve from today, but that was an awesome performance.
"Sam gave him a great ride. I told him to be fifth or sixth and if he bowls along in front then don't worry about it. I did say if he turned into the straight in front, he won't get beat from there."
Nicholls also paid tribute to Paul Barber, backer of his Ditcheat yard and joint-owner of Denman.
"Paul bought the horse with me and got Harry (Findlay) involved," he added.
"The first time we saw him in Ireland, we said we were going to have him and Paul deserves a lot of credit for putting a lot into the yard, buying horses like this and being patient."
Barber added: "This is something I shall never forget.
"Paul kept saying if he blows up three out, don't blame me I couldn't do any more - but he obviously did enough.
"Apparently his scales have been broken for the last two years so he hadn't a clue how much over or under weight he was.
"I'm looking forward to it (the Gold Cup) but I'm not sure I'll be able to stick it out!
"I think we've got a real chance. It's a great pity that we have got two in the same yard who are joint-favourites to win the Gold Cup.
"This is what it's all about."
