Denman dethrones Kauto Star in Cheltenham Gold Cup

Denman, the 9-4 second favourite ridden by Sam Thomas, dethroned defending champion Kauto Star to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup yesterday.

Kauto Star started 10-11 favourite 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 25-1 outsider Neptune Collonges, sent out like the first two by champion trainer by Paul Nicholls.

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.

Trainer Nicholls told reporters: "Denman was awesome, just awesome."

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.