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Denman romps to Festival glory.
Harry Findlay's voice could still be heard cheering above the enthusiastic Cheltenham crowd after Denman had won his high-rolling owner a king's ransom in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. The professional gambler calculated the total profit from his bets and reckoned he had made close to £1million on the seven-year-old, who produced a sublime effort to take the prize by 10 lengths. Narrowly beaten by Nicanor in the old Royal & SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle when hugely fancied a year ago - the only blot on his 10-race career so far - Denman was smashed into 6-5 favourite in the ring. Ruby Walsh was keen to stay out of trouble on the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding and quickly pulled him to the front, although Aces Four was another wanting to quicken up proceedings and he harried him the whole way until nearly losing rider Graham Lee when stumbling badly at the third-last. Denman was suddenly clear and Walsh made sure none of his rivals were allowed even a glimmer of hope as he galloped away, although Snowy Morning rallied gamely for a distant second place. "I think I've won just less than a million," boomed Findlay, who was congratulated with almost as much gusto by his friends around the winner's enclosure as the horse he co-owns with the more placid West Country farmer Paul Barber returned victorious. "Denman is so safe at his fences and it was a real proper race. The ante-post gamble was all down to Alan King," Findlay said. "After the Festival last year there were only two horses that could win this race, and suddenly My Way De Solzen's not running and we've had 10s, sevens, sixes and all prices down. "Clifford Baker (Nicholls' head lad) in the yard was even more confident than me and thanks to Alan King we've landed a massive touch. "Full credit to Alan because he's got a brilliant horse and now he and Denman are going to take each other on next year. "And if Kauto Star is there as well, what a thrill it will be to watch them." Nicholls already has the hot favourite for this year's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup in Kauto Star and now he trains another candidate for the 2008 crown, with Denman a general 5-1 second-favourite behind his illustrious stablemate. The winner has steadily improved throughout the season and appeared as visually impressive as he has ever been. Champion trainer Nicholls said: "It's a relief. You start to believe all the rubbish written by the doubters, but we've always known we had a good horse. I knew we had him right today and he's never been better." Second-favourite Cailin Alainn hurled Davy Russell into the turf when falling at the ninth, while the well-fancied Dom D'Orgeval never figured and finished 10th. Willie Mullins, trainer of the runner-up, was thrilled, explaining: "When Cailin Alainn fell on the first circuit he just lost his concentration and lost his place, but I am delighted with the way he ran. "Before the race I thought with a bit of luck we might be placed. We will have a look, but he could go to both Fairyhouse and Punchestown." According To John was three and a half lengths back in third, just edging out Aces Four, and his trainer Nicky Richards said: "He might have finished second but for making a mistake near the finish, but I am very pleased as I would have been happy if he had made the first six. "A big horse like him wouldn't want it too firm, but he could go for the Scottish National and we will also look at Sandown. "He could be a Grand National horse one day. The winner is some horse, isn't he?" Aces Four finished a valiant fourth and his Middleham trainer Ferdy Murphy said: "He's a lovely horse and he was running an absolute cracker when he lost his balance on landing at the downhill fence. "He didn't come back to unsaddle because he was a bit distressed at the top of the chute, but thankfully he seems fine and we will get him home safe and sound." Tony Evans was handed a two day ban (March 25 and 26) for using his whip when out of contention on the unplaced Knowhere.
