Hardy warrior Denman has the stamina for another big win

Tough as nails: Denman (left) finished second to Imperial Commander in last year's Cheltenham Gold Cup

13 April 2012

The lessons of history suggest that jump racing's old marvels Kauto Star and Denman could both struggle in the battle of the generations in tomorrow's highly-competitive totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.

We should applaud the skills of champion trainer Paul Nicholls in bringing his superb duo to the Festival for the sixth year in succession.

But they are both well into the veteran stage now at 11 and you have to go way back to 1969 to find a horse older than 10 - the 12-year-old What A Myth - who has won the race that matters most in the jumping calendar.

With last year's hero Imperial Commander also getting on in years at 10, I put it to Nicholls that this could be the time for younger, fresher chasers to take centre stage.

"I don't see why," he said. "Kauto Star and Denman don't behave like old horses at home and we've deliberately looked after them by giving them only a handful of races each season. That way they have lasted longer.

"The key could be the ground. If the forecast heavy rain arrives tomorrow that will be ideal for Denman whose homework has been pleasing me since he had a little operation to sort out his breathing early in December. But if the rain stays away then Kauto Star could be the one. He's really fresh and well, certainly better than he was at Kempton when he was beaten by Long Run [in the King George VI Chase]."

Nicholls complicates matters by also fielding What A Friend, part owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, and Neptune Collonges. But if he is to win yet another Gold Cup you sense it will be with his hardy old warrior Denman, the 2008 winner who has not been out of the first two in three attempts in this race.

With testing ground looking increasingly likely, his limitless reserves of stamina - shown to good effect when third under a huge weight in the Hennessy Gold Cup in November - could be decisive up the punishing hill.

Imperial Commander has not been seen since landing the Betfair Chase in November at Haydock, where he sustained a nasty cut to one of his forelegs. Although the wound took time to heal, his trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is talking up his chances of retaining his Gold Cup crown.

"He's fit and ready and there is no reason why he shouldn't win it again," said the handler.

The gelding remains favourite to retain to win the Grade One showpiece, though a glance at the formbook suggests that Long Run should be heading the market. Nicky Henderson's six-year-old was undeniably impressive in romping home in the King George at Kempton in January with Kauto Star a weary third after all but falling at the second-last fence.

Victory for Long Run would be a fairytale for his rider, the talented amateur Sam Waley-Cohen, and his family. Although Sam is busily building up a chain of dental practices, he works tirelessly on his fitness in the gym, rides out several mornings a week and has taken part in regular intensive schooling sessions on Long Run under the eagle eye of jumping guru Yogi Breisner.

Victory for the horse would give Henderson a massive bonus in his bid to become champion trainer again for the first time since 1987.

With Irish raiders in rampant form at Cheltenham this week, there is bound to be support for Pandorama if the rain comes while China Rock and Kempes have also been supported in recent days.

For punters with the patience to wait a little longer, the best bet of the week is On The Fringe, owned by JP McManus, in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase. The word in Ireland is that this one is so good he could be lining up in the Gold Cup in future years.

Selections: 1.30 Unaccompanied; 2.05 Dirar; 2.40 Kilcrea Kim; 3.20 Denman; 4.00 On The Fringe (Nap); 4.40 Sir Des Champs; 5.15 Shoreacres.

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Hardy warrior Denman has the stamina for another big win

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