Denman Throws Down The Gauntlet

Denman shook up the totesport Gold Cup market after becoming one of just a handful of horses to have carried top-weight to victory in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury.

Paul Nicholls' brilliant seven-year-old had only tasted defeat once in 10 starts previously and was simply awesome as he romped to a 11-length success under man-of-the-moment Sam Thomas.

The champion trainer had warned Denman would need the outing but his fears were proved unfounded as the gigantic gelding strode on in the home straight on the first occasion.

His main rival and 9-2 favourite Snowy Morning crashed out around the same time and Denman went on to take the field apart at odds of 5-1.

Dream Alliance was a game second, while Character Building was eight lengths back in third and Madison Du Berlais a close fourth.

Denman was so electric that he usurped stablemate and current title holder Kauto Star in the betting for the Gold Cup with Coral, who slashed him into 6-4 favouritism.

Nicholls said: 'The great thing was he settled early on. I had been worried that he would tank along for the first mile and leave himself with nothing in reserve.

'For me to have said he would win first time out, you just don't do that. There is improvement in him and he is having a good blow, but that was awesome first time out.'

Cashmans make Nicholls a 2-7 shot to train the winner of the Gold Cup, but he would not be drawn into making predications about when Denman eventually clashes with Kauto Star.

He continued: 'Last weekend was a great day and this is a great day, but they are different horses.

'They won't take each other on until Cheltenham and a lot can happen between now and then, so let's just enjoy today.

'He will go to the Lexus now and then would could come back here for the Aon or go to back to Ireland ? but he will only have two more runs before Cheltenham.'

With Ruby Walsh sidelined through injury, Thomas has been gifted a golden opportunity and the 23-year-old followed up last weekend's magical double aboard Kauto Star and Mr Pointment with a resounding victory.

The Welshman said: 'I didn't think things could get much better after last weekend, but this fella is something else.

'I couldn't believe how strung out they were when I had a look round, I hadn't even got out of first gear at that stage.'

Of the two Gold Cup contenders he added: 'They are completely different horses and you wouldn't know where to start comparing them ? but they are both exceptional, I know that.'

(C) PA Sport