Gold Cup bet in Running

Just like the Big Four dominate the Premiership year after year, similarly the superstars of steeplechasing have monopolised the most coveted crown in recent seasons.

The modern philosophy for jockeys is to ‘stay handy and avoid the trouble’ as there has been a bigger field than usual, 14 hopefuls having the audacity to take on those Paul Nicholls’ titans, Kauto Star and Denman, 12 months ago.

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However, whereas in 2008 Denman forced the pace from a long way out and ground his rivals into submission, his subsequent heart problem had left doubts in the minds of his connections as to whether he was still the potent force of old, so he was ridden with uncharacteristic restraint and, consequently, the race was run at a much more even tempo.

This resulted in the rare sight of all but one (Halcon Genelardais had been pulled up) being still in contention as they passed the stands with a circuit to race, a pace which allowed Kauto Star to get into a rhythm in his attempt to reclaim his crown, having been bullied out of it by the aggressive tactics of his stablemate the previous year.

Plenty were still in with a chance at the top of the hill, six from home, but two fences later the Nicholls trio – Neptune Collonges, Kauto Star and Denman – had shaken off the chasing pack. Kauto was always going to have too much speed for Denman on the prevailing ground, and after three out he changed up a gear and gradually pulled away, with Exotic Dancer rewarding his place supporters by running on to deprive Nicholls of another clean sweep by passing Neptune Collonges for third.

It would seem that Denman’s only chance of beating Kauto Star again is to put it up to him early on in the final circuit – a slow-run Gold Cup in 2007 had played into the hands of Kauto – and, while Denman’s fall in the Aon Chase at Newbury, has cast doubts, his camp need to be positive.