Cheltenham Gold Cup 2009

The 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup once again featured the first three horses home in the 2008 renewal, Denman, Kauto Star and Neptune Collonges, all trained by Paul Nicholls. The 16-strong field also included Exotic Dancer, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, who had finished a disappointing fifth behind Denman in 2008, but a close second behind Kauto Star the previous year. In fact, it was the above-named quartet who dominated both the betting market and the race itself.

Neptune Collonges, ridden by Christian Williams, made much of the running until headed and outpaced shortly after the third-last fence. At that point, favourite Kauto Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh, quickened in to the lead and drew away from his rivals to win, impressively, by 13 lengths; that was, in fact, the widest winning margin since Master Oats beat Dubacilla by 15 lengths in 1995.

Although outpaced by the winner, Denman, ridden by Sam Thomas, stayed on gamely under pressure to finish second, 2½ lengths ahead of Exotic Dancer, ridden by Tony McCoy. Paul Nicholls was denied a 1-2-3 in the race for the second year running, with Neptune Collonges finishing fourth, 6 lengths behind Exotic Dancer. Nicholls also saddled the fifth horse home, 100/1 outsider My Will, ridden by Nick Schofield.

Kauto Star, who had won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007, but been beaten 7 lengths by Denman in 2008, thus became the first horse in history to regain the staying chasers’ championship. Walsh was unequivoical is his praise of the Village Star gelding, saying, “He’s the greatest horse I’ve ever ridden. Two miles, three miles, now two Gold Cups. He’s magic, he’s a wonder horse.”