Denman
A profile of Denman, the new phenomenon in horse racing betting
Cheltenham betting will soon be upon us and all eyes will be on Kauto Star to achieve a second win in the Gold Cup. There can be no doubt that this horse is a living legend but recent events have caused shrewd online betting fans to look at other Gold Cup contenders in an effort to spot possible threats to the champion.
Denman the newcomer
Up front for consideration must be the remarkable Hennessy Cup winner, Denman. More recently, this odds-on favourite won the Lexus Chase at Leopardsdown and analysts are now saying that the young pretender has what it takes to beat Kauto Star at level weights if not in 2008, then next year in 2009.
Described as being "like a machine", the seven-year-old Denman demonstrated a solid jumping capability over three miles at Leopardsdown, finishing comfortably ahead of Mossbank who, in turn, nudged ahead of the 2006 winner, The Listener. Jockey, Ruby Walsh, noting the slow pace of the champion, took Denman straightaway into a commanding lead over the field which he maintained with consummate ease for the duration of the race.
Denman - A rated Horse
Walsh went on to describe Denman as "a big old-fashioned Irish chaser and a hell of a horse". He also claimed that the horse knows exactly what he has to do and barely needs guidance from the jockey.
Horse Racing Betting enthusiasts should note that, in the Hennessy Gold Cup, Denman took on the 21 fences, his 11st 12lb weight and the strong opposition with startling ease to finish 11 lengths ahead of Dream Alliance in front of a roaring Newbury crowd.
The Denman Stables
Both Denman and Kauto Star are trained by Paul Nicholls and, sharing the same stable it?s almost as though they have both been touched by the same stardust hand. Certainly the trainer will be unable to believe that fate has visited upon him having two horses that are being compared with Arkle, Millhouse and Flyingbolt.
Owners, the ebullient Harry Findlay and Nicholls landlord, Paul Barber, hold nothing back in their confidence in the horse. "I've never seen a horse so confident in the air. When he got close, he was deadly. He's just awesome and against Kauto at Cheltenham, the three miles, two furlongs is going to be all in our favour. Our horse will be tanking mid-race".
Denman at Cheltenham 2008
Nicholls, in a more sober judgement, believes there is some progress to be made before challenging Kauto at Cheltenham but firmly believes that the more demanding the race the stronger the response from his horse.
Ruby Walsh is going to face a difficult choice come March. He has to choose between the two horses and the other will be ridden by Sam Thomas, who won on Denman in the Hennessy Gold Cup.
The face-off between Denman and Kauto Star at the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of those divine moments that rarely occur in any sport. When they do, we all want to be there to witness it and sports betting devotees will not want to look back and think ?I could have been there, if only??
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