2008 Denman

The 2008 Chelttenham Gold Cup featured 12 runners, the smallest field since 2004, but all the hype beforehand revolved around the eagerly anticipated clash between defending champion Kauto Star and his stable companion, Denman, hitherto unbeaten over fences and a 10-length winner of the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival. Unsurprisingly, Kauto Star, in the hands of Ruby Walsh, was sent off 10/11 favourite, with Denman, ridden by Sam Thomas, second-best at 9/4 and 17/2 bar the pair, which brought in the 2007 runner-up, Exotic Dancer. Paul Nicholls, who was resonsible for both markets leaders, also saddled 25/1 chance Neptune Collonges, ridden by Mick Fitzgerald.

Indeed, it was Neptune Collonges who cut out the running for much of the first circuit, but Denman jumped ahead at what would be the second-last next time around and, thereafter, was never headed. In fact, he took a clear lead at the fourth-last, at which point Ruby Walsh started to send out distress signals on Kauto Star, who had not helped himself with some indifferent jumping on occasions. Denman could be called the winner turning for home and only had to be kept up to his work over the final two fences to pass the post seven lengths to the good over Kauto Star. The latter ran on gamely in the closing stages but, at the line, was all out to hold second place, by a short-head, from Neptune Collonges.

Reflecting on a memorable 1-2-3 in the ‘Blue Riband’ event, Nicholls said, “That was brilliant. Going out on the second circuit, he [Denman] was going really well. He’s just good. Neptune Collonges has been improving all the time and Kauto ran a good race too, but they were beaten on the day by a better horse.” Denman ran in the Cheltenham Gold Cup again in 2009, 2010 and 2011, finishing runner-up on all three occasions, behind Kauto Star, Imperial Commander and Long Run, before being retired, after suffering a tendon injury, in December 2011.