Cheltenham Gold Cup 2008

The 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup featured 12 runners, but was billed as a match between defending champion Kauto Star and his stable companion Denman, who had won his first eight starts over fences, including the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the previous Cheltenham Festival and the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury under 11st 12lb. Kauto Star was sent off favourite, at 10/11, with Denman at 9/4 and 17/2 bar the two, but the anticipated duel between the market leaders failed to materialise.

Ridden by Sam Thomas, Denman took over from his other stable companion, Neptune Collonges, in the lead just after halfway and, while he was less than fluent at one or two of his fences thereafter, was never headed. In fact, he went clear soon after the fourth-last fence and stayed on well to beat Kauto Star by 7 lengths. Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the latter was also not foot-perfect, including at the final fence, when already held by the winner, but ran on gamely and just managed to hold second place, a short-head in front of Neptune Collonges.

After completing a notable 1-2-3 in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, winning trainer Paul 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. It’s brilliant for the whole team.” Winning jockey was a little non-plussed, saying, “I don’t know what to say, I’m lost for words again.What a horse. He wasn’t doing a tap in front, he just stays and stays.”