Denman wins Hennessy Gold Cup

Denman put up a remarkable weight-carrying performance to win the Hennessy Gold Cup for a second time at Newbury.

The 2007 winner, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, outbattled his stable companion What A Friend to justify strong market support.

The 11-4 favourite, carrying 11st 12lb, pulled clear on the run-in to win by three and a half lengths from What A Friend (7-1).

Niche Market (33-1) was three and three-quarter lengths away third and Barbers Shop (13-2) fourth.

Joe Lively cut out the early running once the field settled down with Niche Market, Denman and Grand National winner Mon Mome close up.

After briefly leading at the water jump before the runners set out on their second circuit, Denman was pulled back to third again.

But he was soon at the head of affairs after Joe Lively could not keep up the gallop down the back straight.

Asserting his lead with a brilliant jump at the cross fence five out, Denman had most of his rivals in trouble.

The main threat came from his stable companion, What A Friend, but even in receipt of 22lb, the six-year-old could not match Denman’s firepower.

Denman rocketed back to favouritism for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is 2-1 from 5-2 with VC Bet while Kauto Star, another stablemate, was pushed out to 9-4 from 7-4. The Tote make Kauto Star favourite at 7-4 with Denman 9-4 from 11-2.