Legend! DENMAN is magnificent in the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2008) - Cheltenham Festival - Racing TV

One of the jumps racing legends!

The mighty Denman - better known as 'The Tank' - powered to victory in the 2008 Cheltenham Gold Cup and maintained his unbeaten record over fences in the greatest of races under jockey Sam Thomas, trainer Paul Nicholls and owners Harry Findlay and Paul Barber.

In a highly-anticipated match-up with great stablemate Kauto Star, Denman proved relentless from the front in an emphatic front-running display in a memorable 1-2-3 for Nicholls as Neptune Collonges - the future Grand National winner - placed third.

The winning rider said: "I don't know what to say, I'm lost for words again." What a horse. He wasn't doing a tap in front, he just stays and stays. I went through the race in my head a million times before and it just went absolutely according to plan."

Denman won 14 of his 24 races before passing away at the age of 18. Widely recognised as one of the greats of National Hunt racing, his tenacity and bravery endeared him to jumps racing fans and his victories under big weights in handicaps harked back to some of the greats of the sport, including perhaps the greatest of them all in Arkle.

Denman won twice at the Cheltenham Festival and also won the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown, now known as the Savills Chase. Perhaps most famously, he twice won the Hennessy Gold Cup - now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy - ands famously landed his second triumph under top-weight of 11st 12lbs in what is readily acknowledged as one of the greatest weight-carrying performances in recent jumps racing history.

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[deluckyirish]

Jumping, pace, power and ears pricked every fence, gave it everything to make it look easy. Perfect horse.

[yesezra]

The shot of denman powering down the hill cruising is absolutely remarkable

[rayoconnor]

The Tank was brilliant. But this video needs Richard Hoiles, “relentless, remorseless” ... best call ever.

[clarkeonenil]

Denman was a great horse, and that wasn't just a great race, it was a great occasion. The buildup was like Coe v Ovett in 1980. Who would win ? Nobody knew, not even Ruby, but the answer was indeed Denman.

[ConnorBennett]

Richard Hoiles' commentary of this race was miles better

[SHAYNESHAZADCOSGROVE]

Someone tell me all of Paul Nichols horse win a hat trick

[jamesthomerson]

What a race one a good amount of money on that monster of a horse

[craphead]

These horses are better than the modern horses....tony cuenca

[iceman]

This was an extraordinary performance, but I think Thomas might have ridden him too hard. He was clearly shot when he crossed the line and was never really the same again.

[Sahkee]

Denman would never have won a Tingle Creek or a King George. Kauto Star was undoubtedly the more brilliant and classier horse. However, over 3.2 at Cheltenham, his head-to-head score with Kauto Star reads 3-1 in his favour. Denman was a truly great horse and not kept to Graded company.

[susanrobinson]

Denman, native river pass me if you can legends

[liamhudspith]

Best chaser I’ve ever seen for that one year what he done to kauto that year was unreal you’ll not see 2 better 3 mile chasers at the same time as them 2

[andrewwakefield]

I know he doesn’t work for you anymore but Will please please please someone do this video with Richard Hoiles commentary over the top. It would be just lovely thanks.

[DavidTaylor-rkdu]

2 pound better than Kauto but not alot in it.Both brilliant exceptional 3 mile chasers

[SumoCumLoudly]

Kauto wasnt at best on the day but denman would have been hard to beat anyway

[markllewellyn]

Yes denman was a brilliant horse, but come on, you could see Kautostar was not up to his best, he hit lots of fences, and looked very sloppy, I just think if Kauto was anywhere near his brilliant self, he would have won quite easily, and I’m not talking anything away from denman, because he was a beast, but Kautostar was 1 in a million, he was a super steeplechaser, and will go down as 1 of the best we seen, , , r.I.p king kauto

[benclarke]

Back when racing was great. They look after them too much these days, you wouldn't see a jockey pulling the whip turning in when 10 lengths clear today. They'd be looking over their shoulders and holding to try and win without even using the whip.

Good for the horses I guess but terrible for punters. Which is more important to the industry? Horses or punters? Suppose it depends on money. If you want money in the sport then punters are just as important as the horses themselves. If money isn't the objective then the horses are most important.

[gordonrundell]

The Tank was unbeatable at his best 1 of my all time favourite horses was gutted when he died 😢

[stephenheffernan]

One of the best, unbelievable horse xx

[jamesharris]

No horse would have beaten Denman this day. He destroyed 3 very good horses including an all time great in Kauto Star. If only he hadn’t had his heart issues...