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The one thing I’m sure everybody agrees on is that this is the most eagerly awaited rematch in the history of horse racing. A dead heat between Kauto and Denman would be the most fitting result.
Assorted TRF’ers (myself included) would doubtless prefer to blow their brains out with a shotgun, rather than cross the event-horizon such a result would create.
Piece on the whole ‘Kauto v Denman’ debate!
Piece on the whole ‘Kauto v Denman’ debate!
With all due respect to Denman , he will need to come up with something very special between now and the end of his career to usurp Kauto.
This debate will continue for many years to come, but I find it very hard to place Denman above Kauto based on what they have achieved during their respective careers thus far.
Denman possesses immense talent, but he is very one dimensional. He excels on a left-handed, galloping track over three miles-plus in testing conditions.
Kauto Star has beaten the best over a variety of distances, under varying conditions and all tracks come alike to him. The first horse to regain his Gold Cup crown. The first horse to win four consecutive King Georges and the only horse to compete the King George / Gold Cup double on more than one occasion. He is breaking records and setting new standards. Standards that will be the benchmark for greatness in the future.
It’s such a shame that these two legends will never meet away from Cheltenham. History tells us that the best horse doesn’t necessarily win the Blue Ribbond.
I’ve always believed that ‘three milers’ and’ staying chasers’ are unfairly amalgamated. Kauto Stars achievements over twenty-four furlongs entitle him to be recognized as the best ‘three miler’ of his generation. Denman’s career-defining moments have come over three miles-two and perhaps a second victory over his stablemate in the Festival Showpiece will entitle him to be recognized as the greatest ‘stayer’ of his generation.
I still maintain that Denman needs Kauto, more than Kauto needs Denman. Defeat in March will not diminish Kauto’s star, but a victory over his nextdoor neighbour will almost certainly make this debate redundant.
NTD has said Imperial Commander will head straight to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup…good man. Not for a second do I think he’ll upset both the big two but should mean he is very backable in the market without big two as he’ll be fresh around his favourite track.
TBH this race is basically a Match race. However the third spot could be anyones. I think the battle for third will be between Imperial Commander, Madison du Berlais and Carruthers, but i cant pick between them.
TBH this race is basically a Match race. However the third spot could be anyones. I think the battle for third will be between Imperial Commander, Madison du Berlais and Carruthers, but i cant pick between them.
I think IMPERIAL COM will get found out as a non-stayer up the hill over 3m2f and MADISON DU simply does not like Cheltenham. CARRUTHERS unlikely to get his ground and an easy lead, both very important for this horse.
BARBERS SHOP must still rate a danger for 3rd place and if W Mullins can get COOLDINE straight then he must have a squeek.
I think Barbers Shop may go for the Ryanair. Just a hunch more than anything. My other long shot in the race for 3rd is Roll Along…very long shot though!
Having read the latest press reports on who will ride Denman in the Gold cup,it would appear Jonathon Powell has slightly misinterpreted what Paul Barber told him about Jockey bookings!
What it does tell you though is reading between the not so narrow lines is that it is 100% guaranteed Ruby will be on Kauto Star,should both he and Denman turn up in tip top condition.Should they go off 2/1 jt favs,how much will the Ruby factor swing the publics vote!It certainly makes you realise that Ruby rates Kauto the better of the 2,i bet Paul Nicholls thinks the same!As Sham 69 used to say "Hurry up Arry c"mon" stay loyal to Sam!I have said it before,but i haven"t seen a performance like Denmans 2nd Hennessey Gold Cup win in all my years of betting horses!I certainly read the race wrong and that says it all!Kauto stars 4th King george was a very impressive performance to the eye,unfortunately the clock clearly tells you the majority of the field under performed for one reason or another!Denman is the better horse imo!TheAntePostKing wrote………
i haven"t seen a performance like Denmans 2nd Hennessey Gold Cup win in all my years of betting horses!
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I’d have to agree, I’d add Arkle’s Gallacher Gold Cup, Gorden Cygnet’s Supreme Novices and Denman’s first Hennessey to that very short list.Right now Denman is one of three banker’s I’ve earmarked for this year’s Festival but I do have great concerns about the choice of jockey. To me Denman is a horse that gives his all and then some plus a bit more, Sam Thomas looks "as one" with the horse and I don’t think anyone suits Denman as much as Sam, anyway what price some loyalty?
As much as I rate Ruby I think I’d prefer Sam Thomas but either will do for me and I’d be very dissapointed if the ride went elsewhere.To me Denman needs a jockey with sympathetic hands a good judge of pace and one who’ll let him get on with the job, if that’s the case and something comes near him going down the hill he’ll "eyeball" them out of the race like he did to What A Friend.
I know Sam was instructed not to make so much use of him last year, with his long term health paramount this was obviously the correct decision yet I can imagine Denman resenting the restraint.What he doesn’t need is a busy jockey like Tony McCoy on board, or worse, someone who thinks he’s the star rather that the horse is the star, Paul Carberry springs to mind.
Timmy Murphy would be perfect, as good from the front as when arriving late, kind hands, settles horses and presents them right at every fence, sits tight, he’d need to when The Tank throws in one his truly almighty leaps (Cross fence at Newbury!!!).
Or Left field thinking…. I’d have Nina Carberry, all the same qualities as Timmy Murphy, described by Enda Bolger as "Probably he best rider I’ve ever seen, horses run and jump for her, I never give riding instructions, she instinctively knows what to do"
I see what you are saying, ‘CheltenhamSpecialist’, and i agree with the sentiment, however, Nina Carberry is as likely to ride Denman in the Gold Cup, as i am to get the leg up on the fine horse.
Sam Thomas will ride…..
Findlay reckons Denman is going like a dream at home and could run a prep race at Chelt next week….
That would be in addition to either the Irish Hennessy or the AON Chase. Denman hasn’t been moved to Henderson has he??
That would be in addition to either the Irish Hennessy or the AON Chase. Denman hasn’t been moved to Henderson has he??
Dont be so daft, Grassy.
He cant run over 3 miles because Punchestowns and Long Run, are campaigned over the same distance.
My girlfriend’s Dad got talking to Mr. Findlay at the races in Australia today and Denman was in his words "******* flying" in preparation for the Gold Cup – of course HF often talks his horses up but judged on his imperious performance in the Hennessy he will be my bet in the GC – he slammed KS in 2008 and got close in 2009 despite not being as fully fit.
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