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Surely, only a disappointing race if you are a fan, backer or connection of Kauto Star.
His jumping was not up to standard on the day.
But Denman did all that could be expected of him, the pressure he applies mid-race through his galloping is very difficult to overcome and his jumping holds up very well.
He did tire at the end and maybe 3m 2f. is beyond his optimum trip at the moment.
Colin
In short, the best jumper won. KS made too many minor errors.
I had always thought Denman was a machine, and he proved this convincinglyWell said Simon.
The quality of Denmans performance was not as good as Kauto Stars King George performance, or Master Mindeds Queen Mother for that matter.
Real strength of depth in the KG, especially with different riding tactics being adopted for Exotic Dancer and what on earth has the Queen Mother got to do with the integrity of Denman’s performance?
Some amazing twaddle being expressed in this thread. A disappointing race? Yes, it may not have produced the cliffhanger of a finish that would have topped things off but an awesome performance nevertheless. Looking at replays of the Arkle / Mills House GC, the finish there would hardly have had the nation reaching for beta-blockers.
Before the race, KS was touted in many corners as being unbeatable – never off the bridle when 100%, this winner of 15 of his 26 races. We were also reminded that this wasn’t a 2-horse race, with Exotic Dancer providing a value bet and Knowhere being capable of sinking all. Perhaps they all had an off day.
The comments about NC’s proximity to KS are a red herring. It’s hardly unusual to see outsiders raise their game in a big race and achieve a never to be repeated performance – Clive Brittain makes a living out of it!
I’m not sure that I’ve seen such a spectacle in a Gold Cup before but perhaps someone can inform us of the other occasions when the race was dominated by one horse in this fashion during the last 40-odd years?
Well said Simon.
The quality of Denmans performance was not as good as Kauto Stars King George performance, or Master Mindeds Queen Mother for that matter.
Real strength of depth in the KG, especially with different riding tactics being adopted for Exotic Dancer and what on earth has the Queen Mother got to do with the integrity of Denman’s performance?
Some amazing twaddle being expressed in this thread. A disappointing race? Yes, it may not have produced the cliffhanger of a finish that would have topped things off but an awesome performance nevertheless. Looking at replays of the Arkle / Mills House GC, the finish there would hardly have had the nation reaching for beta-blockers.
Before the race, KS was touted in many corners as being unbeatable – never off the bridle when 100%, this winner of 15 of his 26 races. We were also reminded that this wasn’t a 2-horse race, with Exotic Dancer providing a value bet and Knowhere being capable of sinking all. Perhaps they all had an off day.
The comments about NC’s proximity to KS are a red herring. It’s hardly unusual to see outsiders raise their game in a big race and achieve a never to be repeated performance – Clive Brittain makes a living out of it!
I’m not sure that I’ve seen such a spectacle in a Gold Cup before but perhaps someone can inform us of the other occasions when the race was dominated by one horse in this fashion during the last 40-odd years?
NEPTUNE WAS NOT a complete outsider who raised his game…… and the never repeated performance? whats that all about? he set goodpace lastyear til 2nd from home.. and was used as pacemaker 4 kaoto lastyear to slow himdown,and then went on to win unchestown goldcup and then performance today was outstanding. this is a promicing young horse who is forever improving………………….!
Just logging on at the airport on the way home and can hardly believe the title of this thread. If any of you don’t realise how special that race was today you should take up watching another sport- soccer, perhaps. That was the greatest demolition of a high-class horse I have ever witnessed in my lifetime or am ever likely to. The winner is the best steeplechaser we have seen since Arkle and if he stays sound he will prove it conclusively over the next few seasons by being allowed to put up the huge handicap performances that Best Mate never did, because he wouldn’t have been able. He outjumped, outstayed and outclassed a dual King George and reigning Gold Cup winner with raw power and class- stand back and applaud because this was someting we were privileged to see.
I happened to be walking beside Peter O’Sullevan coming down off the stand and he agreed with me that he’d have had to use his famous phrase " This is the best we’ve seen for a long time" a second time had he been calling today’s race. Shame on any of you that are looking for negatives about what we saw today.Just logging on at the airport on the way home and can hardly believe the title of this thread. If any of you don’t realise how special that race was today you should take up watching another sport- soccer, perhaps. That was the greatest demolition of a high-class horse I have ever witnessed in my lifetime or am ever likely to. The winner is the best steeplechaser we have seen since Arkle and if he stays sound he will prove it conclusively over the next few seasons by being allowed to put up the huge handicap performances that Best Mate never did, because he wouldn’t have been able. He outjumped, outstayed and outclassed a dual King George and reigning Gold Cup winner with raw power and class- stand back and applaud because this was someting we were privileged to see.
I happened to be walking beside Peter O’Sullevan coming down off the stand and he agreed with me that he’d have had to use his famous phrase " This is the best we’ve seen for a long time" a second time had he been calling today’s race. Shame on any of you that are looking for negative about what we saw today.here here carver think thee a lot of kaoto fans gutted the best horse won today and he did it fantastically…….
I cannot believe some of what’s been written on here…..disappointing?
I have been watching racing since 1985 and I have these last two days seen two of the most impressive performances during that time.
Denman was simply awesome today and I think Phil Smith is spot on, Kauto hasn’t run much below his best at all being as he never jumps with much fluency anyway, and he was still getting from one side to the next very quickly today as he always does. As for 3m 2f maybe not being Denman’s trip, believe me this horse would stay 4m if he was asked to, today was just a question of Sam Thomas letting him use his massive stride and asking him to lengthen fully 5/6 furlongs from home (between 5 and 4 out) that broke the heart of Kauto and if he had held onto Denman longer then trust me the horse would stay much further. All he does is gallop at this amazing cruising speed. I don’t think Kauto will ever reverse the form and as far as Neptune Collonges holding the form down, well, 2-3 years ago when the Nicholls camp thought Kauto was an out-and-out two-miler all the talk there was of Neptune Collonges as their potential future 3m champion, indeed many at Ditcheat were talking of him going for the Gold Cup in his novice year before he’d even jumped a fence in public, and now someone on here has called him a handicapper!!!!
God some of you have poor memories.some1 at last has hit the nail rite on the head and put neptunes record straight………………
Now there’s a good idea, Neptunes Collonges the improving chaser – let’s lump onto him for next year’s Gold Cup. The only worry is whether anyone will want to lay such well-informed money. Perhaps we can make a smoke-screen with some small stakes GC / Grand National doubles.
TWW,
If I remember right, may be I have Alzheimers but didn’t Neptunes win a chase in France before going to Dicheat?
Therefore Nicholls did not have him as a novice.Are you just making this up as you go along?
Ginge
Value Is EverythingI say again, Neptunes Collonges had a test of stamina on softish ground which pay to his strengths. So it is feasable he improved a bit.
But, if you are saying Kauto Star ran to form, Neptunes Collonges must have improved almost two stone on Timeform ratings.
Is that feasable?
Ginge
Value Is EverythingNow there’s a good idea, Neptunes Collonges the improving chaser – let’s lump onto him for next year’s Gold Cup. The only worry is whether anyone will want to lay such well-informed money. Perhaps we can make a smoke-screen with some small stakes GC / Grand National doubles.
OH ive got it maybe ime a mind reader but something tells me i know your job, a not very funny commedian? NOT….
I say again, Neptunes Collonges had a test of stamina on softish ground which pay to his strengths. So it is feasable he improved a bit.
But, if you are saying Kauto Star ran to form, Neptunes Collonges must have improved almost two stone on Timeform ratings.
Is that feasable?
Ginge
Kauto has run below his peak form but Neptune hasn’t really improved much on his peak form on my ratings. He was infact given a similar RPR for his latest run at Wincanton.
I say the race has been rated too high though 179 Denman is far more likely than the 185 the official handicapper has given him.
If only life were black & white.
Turning things on their head, Ginge, are you saying that KS ran 2 stones below his best and, as a consequence, this was just about as bad a Gold Cup as we’re ever likely to see?
Surely, only a disappointing race if you are a fan, backer or connection of Kauto Star.
His jumping was not up to standard on the day.
But Denman did all that could be expected of him, the pressure he applies mid-race through his galloping is very difficult to overcome and his jumping holds up very well.
He did tire at the end and maybe 3m 2f. is beyond his optimum trip at the moment.
Colin
I agree. I have watched the race over and over and Denman was simply comprehensive all over. Kauto, a brilliant horse who will be back, can’t be wriiten off IMO. It was a great festival with so many good points. I did not have a bet on this race cos I simply couldn’t split them. KS did not jump that well and Denman galloped relentlessly. As so many say..a machine of a horse. Another day, another trip, different ground.different course. who knows. I am just glad neither fell or got brought down and that we saw a finish.
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