Denman, the second favorite ridden by Sam Thomas, dethroned defending champion Kauto Star to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday in a race that had been billed as steeplechase of the century. Kauto Star started as favorite under Ruby Walsh to retain the crown he won in 2007 but never got in a blow and was beaten into second place, seven lengths away. Third place in the 12-strong field went to an outsider, Neptune Collonges, sent out like the first two by champion trainer by Paul Nicholls. A field of 12 started the $900,000 race of 3 1/4 miles but the focus was on only two. The clash between the first and second had been eagerly anticipated, the rivalry of the two outstanding horses being widely compared to that of Arkle and Mill House in the 1960s. Denman took up the running going into the final circuit from Neptune Collonges and jumped superbly to bring his career record to 13 victories from 14 starts. Kauto Star was not so fluent and in the end only held on to second place by a short head. Winning jockey Thomas told reporters: “He's never really had the gun to his head in a top-class race. There is still room for improvement. He's the best, quite unbelievable.” He added: “With the rain falling it was a big plus. I would not have swapped him for the world. I have always been a big Denman fan and am even more so now.” Trainer Nicholls, winning the Gold Cup for a third time, said: “The best horse won on the day. Denman was awesome. I am proud of all three horses today.” The achievement of Nicholls in saddling the first three home evoked memories of the Gold Cup in 1983 when Michael Dickinson trained the first five. Paul Barber, joint owner of the winner, said: “It's been a great training feat. Denman is such a massive, massive individual. He has such character.” Disappointed Clive Smith, owner of Kauto Star, said: “The ground was a bit tacky for him.” Beaten jockey Walsh, who could have ridden Denman but opted to stay loyal to Kauto Star, gave fellow pilot Thomas a congratulatory hug as the horses pulled up. Walsh told reporters: “The best horse on the day won. I was struggling passing the stands (with a circuit to go).” The Gold Cup was the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival, staged over three days instead of four after Wednesday's racing was abandoned due to high winds. __
