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