The race was billed, quite rightly, as
a match between the defending champion, Kauto Star, and stable
companion, Denman, hitherto unbeaten over fences and a 10-length
winner of Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
the previous year. In fact, 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup was arguably the
most anticipated since Arkle met “The Big Horse” Mill House for
the first time in the 1964 renewal.
Kauto Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh,
understandably started favourite at 10/11, with Denman, ridden by Sam
Thomas, second favourite at 9/4 but, having tracked his other stable
companion, Neptune Collonges – a largely unconsidered 25/1 chance –
for most of the way, it was Denman who took the race by the scruff of
the neck heading out on the second circuit.
Jumping economically, Denman gradually
wound up the pace and, coming down the hill for the final time,
opened up a lead of three or four lengths over his nearest pursuer,
Neptune Collonges, with Kauto Star toiling back in third. By the
second last, Denman was 10 lengths in front. Kauto Star ran on gamely
in the closing stages to snatch second place from Neptune Collonges
by a short head, but he could never make any real impression on the
winner and was eventually beaten 7 lengths.
Winning trainer Paul Nicholls said,
“Denman was awesome. He jumped and galloped and put Kauto on the
back foot really,” adding, “Your first win in a race is always
the best and I’ll never forget See More Business winning in 1999,
but it doesn’t get any better than saddling the one-two-three in
the Gold Cup.” Winning jockey Sam Thomas was less verbose, saying
simply, “I don’t know what to say. I’m lost for words again.
What a horse.”