by Myra Lewyn

The long-awaited clash of steeplechasing titans Denman and Kauto Star was settled on Friday at Cheltenham when Denman soundly defeated his favored stablemate, who was bidding for a second straight victory in the $913,230 Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Neptune Collonges finished third in the 12-horse field, giving trainer Paul Nicholls a sweep of the top three spots in the prestigious test, 25 years after Maryland-based trainer Michael Dickinson sent out the first five finishers in 1983.

Neptune Collonges set a quick tempo in the 3 1/4-mile race as Denman tracked from second under Sam Thomas. Kauto Star, the 10-to-11 favorite ridden by Ruby Walsh, stalked his huge stablemate along the rail.

The anticipated battle between the brilliant chasers never came to fruition, however. Despite his large size, Denman leapt with ease over 11 fences, took the lead at the halfway point, and cruised unchallenged to a seven-length triumph. Kauto Star, who brushed though several jumps early, was seven lengths back at the last of the 22 fences, but had no closing kick and just managed to hold back Neptune Collonges, who came on again under Mick Fitzgerald in the closing strides.

Denman, sent off at odds of 9-to-4, covered the trip in 6:47.80 on a turf course rated as good to soft.

Nicholls was thrilled with the outcome, achieved on the final day of the National Hunt festival.

“Just brilliant. It was a great performance and good for the whole team. I thought going out on the second circuit Denman was going really well,” he told England’s Press Association. “He's just good, there you are.”

An eight-year-old Presenting gelding, Denman is owned by Paul Barber and Maggie Findlay. He won his ninth straight race, including the 2007 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, while improving his overall record to 13 wins in 14 starts. 

Bred in Ireland by Colman O’Flynn, Denman is out of the Pollerton mare Polly Puttens, dam of Denman's stakes-winning full brother Silverburn.

Myra Lewyn is daily news editor of Thoroughbred Times