History! Denman wins the 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup

One of the greatest performances in jumps racing history!
Listen to our on-course team Lydia Hislop and Jonathan Neesom as they preview an excellent renewal of the Hennessy Gold Cup and then react breathlessly in the aftermath as the brilliant Denman defies top-weight a monster rating of 170 - after a prolonged absence and fears he would never race again - to land one of the most historic and prestigious National Hunt handicaps of the season for jockey Ruby Walsh, trainer Paul Nicholls and owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay.
2009 HENNESSY GOLD CUP FULL FINISHING ORDER:
1 Denman (11/4F)
2 What A Friend (7/1)
3 Niche Market (33/1)
4 Barbers Shop (13/2)
5 Gone To Lunch (16/1)
6 Kornati Kid (33/1)
7 My Will (28/1)
8 Snowy Morning (14/1)
9 Nenuphar Collonges (14/1)
10 Joe Lively (33/1)
11 War Of Attrition (33/1)
12 Chelsea Harbour (33/1)
F Cappa Bleu (12/1)
PU State Of Play (12/1)
PU Ballyfitz (14/1)
PU Mon Mome (40/1)
PU An Accordion (14/1)
PU Killyglen (15/2)
UR Offshore Account (40/1)

[@Cheshire-mopping]

The roar from the crown when they jump the last fence is incredible what a horse RIP denman ❤️❤️❤️

[@rob9999i]

RIP "The Tank." Unfortunately we can't live forever but this guy will never be forgotten. One of the all time greats.

[@xn0brainsx479]

Sounds stupid but this horse was a complete inspiration to many people, including me. If there was a definition of 100% it was Denman, no doubts, one of the greatest steeple-chasers of his generation and proof that you don't need to win ever race to gain respect.

[@azertyuiop32]

this was a beast of a performance from a beast of a horse, especially when you consider the heart problems that surrounded him. however the gold cup 2008 will always be my fav denman race. in the words of tony mclcoy "i have never saw a horse go so fast for so long". the way he jumped and galloped from fence to fence was such a magnificent sight. i truly believe that prior to his heart problems he was unbeatable but im glad the tank retires in one piece. he certainly deserves it.

[@zipfer30]

One of the greatest weight carrying performances of all time from a mighty champion. RIP Denman.

[@gazza1388]

Its good to see someone who speaks sense! All these Loyal Kauto fans dont give the respect our man deserves

[@richardcrook3372]

Lydia's post race commentary is fantastic. Can hear the love of horse racing in that breaking voice.

[@uhegbu]

I grew up watching this race and I will never forget this race.

[@kevjards]

Denman reminds me of Red Rum.Tons of courage and a never say die attitude.I grew up in the era of Red Rum and his 1973 and 1974 nationals where he beat in my view the 2 best horses on the planet says everything.L'escargot and Crisp were the 2 horses i mean.

[@markstea69]

You only have to listen to the crowd to know how popular and loved this horse was RIP Tank hope you and Kauto are chasing best mate around in a field over the rainbow bridge 😍

[@azertyuiop32]

the jumps at the 5th and 4th last illustrate just how brilliant denmans jumping display was this day.

[@krmoore1000]

i love this race, pure pure class. go DENMAN

[@forsoup]

Congratulations on a safe retirement big fella. Wonderful horse. Long live the Tank. Hope Kauto joins you safely too :)

[@garethcolley9781]

What a horse - Run free you absolute warrior. Legend.

[@GrizzleyBear72]

RIP Denman What a horse and what a time to be around with Denman and Kauto Star

[@stationofdreams1241]

I don't think there is any doubt that Denman is right up there with the immortals of steeple chasing after winning this race twice under 11-12.

[@comeonshaymen]

R.I.P Joe Lively Gone but never forgotten

[@johnbaines3278]

What a great horse

[@planey2k]

love it .. i only ever got to see him finish in the places in the flesh :-(

[@shiftylad9938]

Still loving this in 2021 GWAN the Tank

[@layers85]

When deciding who was better between Denman and Kauto Star I give Denman the nod. They raced together in 4 gold cups, Denman coming out on top 3 times to Kauto's one. People may say about Kauto's King George's and that is some achievement but the Hennessay Gold cup under top weight for Denman to win twice surpasses it in my opinion. Either way both brilliant staying chasers the likes of which we may have to wait decades to see again

[@JSB-IZ-ME]

That roar after the last... just wow, refuse to lose, just pure drama!!!

[@liamhudspith8691]

That roar at the last what a tank

[@jmartin4204]

Remember this race very well . Placed a two quid bet on it at William Hill in Tunbridge Wells , Kent and won , second one was on Barber Shop

[@harpalchauhan428]

I'm huge Kato star fan but loved Denman too only never backed him when the two crossed swords. The day Denman beat kauto star in gold cup in the heart of hearts I knew this was one battle that day kauto could not win that day. Denman was completely unstoppable that day and in him prime no horse before or after him could beat him hed run them into the ground. R.I.P to the best two chasers I've seen in my lifetime but even more special in the same years together.

[@johnwalton3743]

My favorite national hunt chaser and I would have loved to see denman run in the grand national

[@Jaygud]

it has been put up a couple of times and gets taken down. Simon Holt's commentary on C4 that day was exceptional!

[@waspdundalk]

i love denman

[@joythornz]

can't wait for the cheltenham 2010...denman v kauto star...walsh v mccoy...its a classic in the making! My heart goes to denman...hubby & i will watch it live, roll on march!!!

[@azertyuiop32]

the jump at the cross fence about 4 out was awesome

[@ianh6930]

outstanding horse, 1 of the finhest weight carrying performances in Nh history. A machine on his day. #1 weight carrying Nh Horse of all time has to be Dessert Orchid, He Done it So Many times. Best individual performance in Nh history Just Pipping this 1 is also Dessie in the Irish National of 1990. Dessie vs Denman off level weights on good ground taking each other on up front in a Hennesey . NoW that wld be Some Spectacle

[@jonnybeeston]

This is Denmans finest hour i think. A performance like this is once in a lifetime especially considering the season What a Friend went on to have.

[@julzyboy1973]

I am in agreement with you. Yes Ruby said AP was good enough for any horse but after race Francome analysed the riding of AP and said that Denman did not like a jockey to be boss approaching fences. Walsh lets him do his own thing at fences. Think AP will ride him differently in March.

[@MrAddyginsh]

Thanks matey :-)

[@Jaygud]

I find it unbelievable how ignorant and nasty people get when they argue who is better KS or Denman. You can make a case for either, but I don't understand why people abuse each other over it - some people need to grow up and appreciate they were clearly the two great staying chasers of their generation. I love a debate but there's no need to get personal.

[@EnjoytheQ.]

The best thing about it all is that they enjoyed a everlasting friendship ❤️❤️❤️

[@mcvicarross7]

@@EnjoytheQ. They were nxt door neighbour's..... 😉👍💯💥

[@azertyuiop32]

i was an azertyuiop fan but there is no doubt moscow flyer had his measure. i admire kauto star for what he has achieved but i have long been a massive denman fan. it is great for racing that this rivalry between kauto and denman is now coming up to its third gold cup. it has strirred up so much interest

[@tonymcgrath700]

The jump at the last by Denman was the killer blow to What a Friend, magnificent performance by The Tank under the burden of top weight, i think all things being equal he was a couple of pounds better than Kauto Star

[@beverleymorris167]

Any course other than kempton, Denman beats kauto, pre illness

[@ASupremeOwl]

@cmcgrath10 Did you see Denmans leap at the last fence? He took 2 lengths out of WAF and Sam drew the whip before Ruby did. He just couldnt find enough to draw this great of a horse in...

[@azertyuiop32]

likewise my friend. people were far too quick to assume that kauto was below par or beaten by the ground in the 2008 gold cup but i put it down to the sheer speed that denman asked kauto to jump and travel at.

[@TheLovwomen]

Awsome what a horse !!!

[@stephenstafford8047]

One of the greatest performances ever

[@uhegbu]

And what a field, too apart from the winner. Second place runner went on to win a Grade 1 particularly at Aintree.

[@dawnkeir549]

love denman and kauto two of the best

[@topmanjose]

Denman = Total class

[@gearoid77]

Fantastic horse.

[@uhegbu]

I have just heard that Denman has retired and this race was the highlight of his career for me.

[@azertyuiop32]

i think and hope mccoy will have learned a lot about denman last weekend. what i would give for ruby to ride him in the gold cup. the ride he gave him in the hennessey was superb.

[@dtulip1]

Sad to hear of Denman's passing today (6/6/18 ) :'(

[@martinchip1054]

R I P Denman. You gave us some great memories and that Gold Cup win will never be forgotten.

[@azertyuiop32]

what a friend had every chance here. no blame can be apportioned to sam thomas whatsoever. he simply came up against a tank of a horse who put in a jumping and galloping display of epic proportion.

[@anotherblonde]

Yes Simon Holt is a great commentator, as is Richard Pitman, but we don't get him very often these days.

[@8arr0n]

gotta love denman..

[@TheDec30]

@cmcgrath10 Denman was the best chaser since Arkle there is no doubt about that

[@azertyuiop32]

the gold cup is all about opinion and how you read the last 2 gold cups. clearly a solid case can be made for both kauto star and denman. as i have said all along. i do not think the ground is going to be as big a factor as people are making out. i think people were too quick to assume kautos defeat in 2008 was down to the ground. in my opinion the way in which the race will be run will be the key.

[@uhegbu]

As the presenter describe it, the best renewal in years and note that the total prize fund was £200,000 such is the quality of runners apart from Denman.

[@dglikestobet7580]

good days of jump racing denman or ks or even big bucks those were the days.

[@Dooley2007]

denman is a machine.. hope the grounds heavy gold cup time.. denman to beat kauto!

[@uhegbu]

I would like to see the 2007 Hennessy Gold Cup if anyone has the video.

[@azertyuiop32]

when denman can beat niche market giving him 2 stone in one race then is struggling to beat him off level weights in the next race, you have to ask yourself, what s went wrong??? im a huge denman fan but kauto is now a strong favourite as we know is 99% certain to run his race plus he will have the assistance of the brillliant ruby walsh

[@uhegbu]

What A Friend, perhaps a future steeplechaser in the making recently won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.

[@biffa2112]

denman looks good for the cheltnham gold cup, he is fit again and look at his coat full of colour. he looked very pasty last year. the big question is what is ruby going to ride??

[@azertyuiop32]

would someone like to remind mrjamesT1 that denman has already beaten kauto star??? if you literally take kauto and denmans kempton form with madison du berlais then kauto would be at least a 1/4 shot for the gold cup and denman would not even be second favourite. it seems that some kauto star fans can only give denman praise through gritted teeth..........if at all. how good was the jump 4 out in this race from the tank??? absolutely awesome.

[@guitarlegend32]

@kopkingstevie Ruby's style probably does suit Denman better.However I couldn't blame AP for his departure.The stride he was on was the same as in all his previous jumps which up to then was excellent.Quite why the horse put down like that then take off a stride too soon at the next is very strange.Ruby's comments on Master Minded's mistake at the last shows to me that he wouldn't have done anything different to AP.

[@guitarlegend32]

@kopkingstevie Just watched the Aon chase,what a real disapointment.Coming around the home turn towards the forth last I can't beleive he wasn't pulling away from Niche Market who he was 20lb better off with from Hennesy.Put down for the first mistake when he would normally take off.That,to me,says he was beginning to tire.Then to take off a full stride too soon at the next was unbeleivable.

[@azertyuiop32]

@HIPCPETER definetely agree with you there. the channel 4 commentry for this race with holt was much better and the same applies to the 2008 gold cup.

[@KautoStar08]

That was incredible as was the king george barbers shop in the form line puts both quite close what a friend franked this performance. Dont think Kauto will be bullied the way he was 2 years ago hes smarter now he is older. I cant call it i really cant but ill say in terms of price it has to be denman

[@guitarlegend32]

@kopkingstevie Fair enough.From a nostalgia point of view I hope Kauto wins.From a betting point of view,I wouldn't even consider the race until the day before at least.The ante-post odds won't improve.The conditions are everything.Denman would almost definately outstay Kauto on softish going as Findlay has hoped for.On better going though I can't see Kauto beaten.Hopefully though there won't be too many runners with no chance.

[@azertyuiop32]

yeah gerraghty would a good jockey but i think it will be either thomas or mccoy that is on him. the most important thing for me is how denman will be ridden. i very much doubt he will be nursed around like he was last year. i expect him to go at it and take the race by the scruff of the neck. in my opinion that will be the deciding factor (how the race is run) and not the ground. i think far too much emphasis is being placed on the ground.

[@MANUTD4LIFE171]

@julzyboy1973 no he probably didnt know which horse he was going to ride until close to the day, but i would imagine he had an idea, but obviously AP isnt going to commit to any horse just incase his mind is changed by how well the horses he had to chose from were training

[@FrostyJak07]

Denmans jumping wins another race. How on earth can he gain a length over the last fence like that?

[@azertyuiop32]

the only good thing to come out of saturday is he is now a bigger price but i see the bookies arent going any bigger than 7/2- probably so the e/w thiefs dont back him as a bet to nothing. surreal is the word i would use to describe saturday. i totally agree thomas should be re-instated as the jockey simply because he knows the horse so well. it was similar with best mate and jim culloty. he might not have been the best jockey but he knew best mate inside out.

[@azertyuiop32]

i will still be backing him as well. didnt back him on saturday was whats the point at 1/6???? i still maintain that in ruby walshs expected decision to ride kauto, findlay and barber should have turned to sam thomas as he hasnt let them down in the past on denman. like alloverflop says, maybe we are over analysing the mccoy-denman partnership. i also agree that denman is now a bet to nothing e/w but i think we will get 4s on the day no problem

[@julzyboy1973]

@BigPhil1982 I can well believe it mate. Wish I'd had £100 on at 33/1 would be very nice. I definitely had an inkling that AP knew all along which one he was on.

[@ASupremeOwl]

@cmcgrath10 Are you for real? Even Sam Thomas said that he kept going on What A Friend but Denman just kept finding, There was only going to be one winner that day and it was Denman. A beast of a horse...

[@aoifeluvzk]

Anyone know where I can see footage of the 1996 hennessy cognac gold cup newbury...winner coome hill

[@shaggy39uk]

To they guy that said he would've liked to see What a Friend jump the last well and seen what would have happened...I will tell you what would have happened, Denman would have run it into the ground up the straight....just like Denman will run Kauto Star into the ground up the straight at Cheltenham

[@azertyuiop32]

i am in two minds as what to think about denman yesterday. plainly it was a race where you or i should have been able to ride him and coast to victory so it is worrying with what actually happened. on the other hand is mccoy the right man for the ride??? in the hennessey walsh gradually stoked him, go him into a rythym and turned the screw, something mccoy didnt do yesterday. i say thomas should be handed the ride back but i think connections are too stubborn to admit their error.

[@MrConnolly25]

Seems Hennessy form is a good pointer to the Gold Cup,i remember people cribbing this race as just a handicap!!

[@matnettleton3565]

I agree hennesy form is allways rock solid n what a display from the tank.

[@TambourineMan2]

Weight stops trains but not The Tank. RIP Denman.

[@dinktyke]

7:42 what you looking at ... neigh .... pmsl denman

[@MANUTD4LIFE171]

@julzyboy1973 Ap Mcoy has ridden way over 3000 winners, Ruby Walsh has ridden roughly 1400 winners, because AP rides day in day out, Walsh cant be bothered with the day to day meetings, he usualy only rides at the bigger meetings were he has the fire power of Paul Nicholls behind him, AP will ride in any race and he will take the best horse available even if the horse has no chance, he will ride anything thats why he has 3000 plus winners and Walsh has less than half, AP is the greatest FACT

[@comeonshaymen]

@excelbolt Off the top of my head, I think he's a three year old, has black and pink silks, and is best at around 5-6f. Wouldnt've got Bryan Smart though :)

[@TheDec30]

@cmcgrath10 You have to realise that Denman was the better horse with the score 3-1

[@alloverflop]

Best ever says most of the racing pundits and betting public , i think Ruby is a brilliant jockey really do but i think Mc Coy is better and of course Ruby has a better win ratio than Mc Coy at the min cos hes riding odds on shots for Nicholls and Mullins in Ireland most days. AP is not getting the quality of horse that Ruby and Geraghty are these days but he still churns out the winners week in and week out and to say hes only a good jockey thats an insult

[@alloverflop]

i hope your right i really do but i cant see denmans sp being bigger than 3s if all is well. I was swaying towards Kauto at the odds b4 the aon but anything bigger than 3s on Denman is worth a big ew bet and i get your point about Sam Thomas having not done much wrong on Denman but why wouldnt you use the best ever if he was available??

[@defoekeane]

denman was quality u cant deny top weight wow. off levels kauto will beat him just cos kauto just has a bit more class, but if kauto has an off day denman will win gold cup.

[@julzyboy1973]

@MANUTD4LIFE171 Yes I really believe that AP rides four times as many horses as Walsh. Where are you getting your stats from mate.... The Jackanory Chronicle???

[@neiller30]

Was a good run by Denman, but I would've liked to have seen What a Friend keep going if he didn't take the last so badly.

[@julzyboy1973]

@MANUTD4LIFE171 I am not saying this is true but it could be a possibility. Lets assume that Jonjo and AP knew all along. had they have gone public with this weeks before the anti post price would have been a lot lower. How well it won probably adds fuel to the suspicions. The one year I did not have AP he wins. Sour grapes on my part I guess. Were you on Don't push it? did you get bigger than 10/1?

[@silenusut]

Has the race always been only Grade 3?

[@alloverflop]

Are u saying that Mc Coy cant drive a horse along if needs be? People are over analysing it cos of the hype surrounding the partnership. Denman put down for the first mistake then took off a stride early when he fell but Denman is the ew bet now for the Gold Cup take the 7/2 now cos if he gets there fit he'll go off closer to 9/4 on the day. Most bookies go 1/4 the odds antepost so get on now its almost a bet to nothing

[@pinklydell]

incredible race, ruined by pathetic commentary. a real shame channel 4's coverage isnt on here, because simon hoults commentary on this race was incredible.

[@comeonshaymen]

@excelbolt Why? what's happened to Razor Royale. He's lovely. Also, is your username named after the horse Excel Bolt?

[@MANUTD4LIFE171]

@julzyboy1973 Thats pretty Ironic because ive always backed Mcoy in the National but this year i didnt and he won, i backed Black Apalachi aswell who was second, but even then i still was cheering for AP. I didnt fany DontPushIt at all thats why i opposed him I still belive the horse would have lost if id backed Mcoy, ive convinced myself that it was my money putting the kiss of death on him for all those years, particularly when you see some of the hard luck storys hes had, like Clan Royal

[@julzyboy1973]

Best ever says who? Says 3k winners!! Yes Francome & Dunwoody got the same amount between them but in their day there was not so many rides only rode 6 days per week and had 2 months off in the summer. 3k winners but how many losers? AP is a good jockey yes but I think Walsh is the best. His win per rides ratio is better than APs.

[@jiristerc]

7:43

[@dinktyke]

6:51 catch me if you can.... neigh

[@jsilkcut]

the 'bully' is back be afraid very afraid..

[@brendanhiggins3442]

Great horse but also ruby at his best another jockey would have lost that at the last.

[@shaggy39uk]

Ok Ok Ok...lets talk about the last 2 gold cups....kauto star beat a sick denman last year like it should have done....the year before, denman run a sickened off kauto star into the ground......come this march, denman is going to sicken off kauto star again....because kauto star is a big girls blouse and denman is king!

[@alloverflop]

@ azertyuiop, ive read some of your other posts and i respect ur opinion and generally find myself agreeing with them. However to suggest that the champ may not be the right man to ride any horse is laughable. When that question was put to Ruby on the morning line he said "are u askin me if a man that has rode more winners than richard dunwoody and john francome put together is good enough to ride any horse? Come back to me when ur argument is more credible" Enough said!!

[@TissuePrices]

kauto would have won this race too of 174 mark, but denman could not do what kauto did in king george inface he would not even have won