One of the greatest commentary calls ever. Rip denman & kauto star this was a special time in jump racing. I hope there is somewhere running in a field in the sky

Why do I love National Hunt racing?........look at the way Denman powers around the home turn.Will never forget “the Tank”

That is the greatest jumps commentary of the past 30 years, no question.

"Denman's got him at it!!".....goosebumps. Excellent race, excellent commentary.

best gold cup performance ive ever seen, denman at his best is unstopable, there is nothing even kauto star can do

R.I.P Denman. The epitome of staying chaser. Absolute heart of a lion. One of the true greats and legends of this great sport

This brings a tear to the eye, when I was watching this live I was astounded at the pace Denman went at on the second circuit and the massive jumps he put in pure amazing. This race did after all break his heart leading to an irregular heartbeat such a brave horse, a massive raw beast.

every now and then i come back and watch this vid, and every time he amazes me

In all the many thousands of races that I have seen in my life as a racing fan, journalist or broadcaster there are non that I enjoy watching more than this, especially with the racecourse commentary from Richard Hoiles. Racing commentary is one of the more difficult disciplines and Hoiles absolutely excelled here. Never carried away by the occasion, he built up the whole story with both authority, rising excitement and, I think, genuine admiration and appreciation of what he was witnessing. "Relentless, remorseless, Denman has pounded Kauto Star into submission. The answer is Denman. Denman won the Gold Cup!" The race itself remains an absolute joy. For me, born just after Arkle's light had been dimmed, I had always wanted to witness a Gold Cup between two genuine superstars, like my dad had told me about between Arkle and Mill House. As a youngster I recall watching the rivalry between Pendil, The Dikler and Captain Christy, then Silver Buck and Night Nurse. Since then we've had Burrough Hill Lad, Dawn Run, Desert Orchid and, of course, Best Mate. Even so, none of them was battling against as highly-rated an opponent as either Denman or Kauto Star star were on that March afternoon of 2008 and I think that is what elevates this race even more and it should rightly take its place up there with the '64 renewal. I never tire of watching my sporting hero Jonjo booting Dawn Run up the hill in '86, nor 'Dessie' wrestle with (and get the better of) his Prestbury Park inferiority complex to win in it '89, but neither could have lived with Denman on this day. If you could plot the perfect way to win a Gold Cup then I suppose you would either sit just off the pace and come there with a wet sail around the home turn to go and win 10 lengths running away, or you would do it like Sam Thomas did on this day. Of all factors, I think that the ground is the key one in racing. Kauto Star's times were quicker in his wins either side of this race, though according to the jockeys' comments the ground was definitely a bit faster in 2007, even though described the same as good to soft. In addition to that, if you watch the race then Kauto does not have to contend with Denman sapping his energy levels from two-out on the first circuit until the same point on the second circuit, so despite the time I think he genuinely had a significantly 'easier' race (and I say that with the knowledge that no Gold Cup is easy, nor would I ever want to trivialise it). In 2009, I think anyone who knows the build-up to the race would have to admit that Denman simply was not 100 per cent. In fact, he had been way short of peak fitness for most of the campaign after a heart murmur about five or six months after his Gold Cup win. Paul Nicholls' decision to run him in '09 was a relatively late call, after he felt that he was coming more to hand as the day approached. Sam Thomas was never able to ride him with the same confidence in the Gold Cup that year. I remember being in a box near the home turn that day and all the way I was willing Sam to take the race by the scruff of the neck as he had a year earlier, but he just couldn't because 'The Tank' was not right. All the more commendable then that he beat the rest of the competition off to claim one of his three seconds in the race. I would say that of the four times that they met on the racecourse (the Gold Cups of 2008-2011), there was only this one where he was spot on. He must also have been close to his best in 2010. In general, Kauto's preparations and seasonal campaigns ran much more smoothly until the twilight of his career. Ruby Walsh rode them both, of course, and he is understandably glowing in his praise of Kauto Star. As far as he is concerned Kauto was the better horse. His record of Grade One wins is absolutely remarkable, making it hard to argue. Clearly, he was also the more versatile of the duo in terms of trip. For Kauto, it was all about those three Grade Ones, the Betfair Chase, the King George VI Chase and the Gold Cup. For Denman, it was those lovely galloping straights of Newbury and two wonderful topweight Hennessy wins, as well as his outstanding record at Cheltenham. I feel very lucky to have been at three of their Gold Cup head-to-heads, one of them actually standing there on the track next to Kauto's head lad Clifford Baker. Great memories, great races and this, for me, is as good as it gets.

R.I.P Denman and Kauto star. Absolute legendary horses over the jumps and just true spectacles to watch in a beautiful era for jump racing. Let's hope there having a race for old time sake in the sky somewhere

I was there that day and Denman was my nap of the festival, I knew he'd take it up with a circuit to go and put them all to the sword, what I didn't expect was an utter anhililation of one of the greatest steeplechasers of all time, I'll never forget that day, Denman 'The Tank.'

My favorite Race of all time,and one of my favorite sporting moments of all time. Getting a Denman tattoo in few weeks time :)

Probably the best commentary of any race

amazing i was there that day with my my mates half of us were Denman (the tank) and the other half were KS, both great chasers, this commentary is superb. Have to say one of the best sporting days of my life.

RIP "The Tank"..... Absolutely hammered Kauto Star in 2008....... Some achievement!

Still send chills down my spine every time.

Goosebumps after the last......what a race! 10years later and watching for the first time i feel the excitement of it all what a sport it is

The best commentary ever! Relentless, Remorseless...

Thanks for the memories Denman

Denman was my favourite ever horse, especially when backing him when he had top weight in Newbury race, that was just magical.

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

Gold Cup winner and two Henessey's, his second win was one of the best weight carrying performances since Arkle.

The best horse I've ever seen, all heart. His two Hennessy victories were different class as well. Glad he got his retirement, never seen a horse more deserving of it. I would say that period was a real golden generation in racing, look forward to the next one coming around.

RIP Denman. What a legend.

One of the best gold cup performances I've ever seen just galloped them into submission what a fantastic horse was never the same horse after his heart attack but still gave everything

One of the greatest GC's... absolute joy re-watching that again...

Amazing commentary

Just a superb day and a quite wonderful piece of commentary. Still raises the hairs on my neck every time I watch it. "The answer is Denman".

What a privilege it was to see this horse perform. The best Gold cup horse I've ever seen (4 runs , 1 win, 3 2nds) and this the best gold cup. I don't think any horse would have got close to him that day, he was just magnificent. Plus two great Henessy victories. For me, he's the master; class,talent, heart, the lot: yes, a true legend.

Great race and an even better commentary.

One of the greatest sporting moments ever..than you Denman.

Remorseless relentless, the ultimate staying chaser what a warrior

I miss you big fella! You truly were the best!

Denman was an absolutely brilliant chaser the best since Arkle.

Awful news today, RIP legend

Quite possibly the greatest call of a race I have ever heard Richard Hoiles raw emotion from the last fence was amazing

Will never forget this horse or the performances he put in.. A champion of the people, a modern time great.... RIP #DenmanTheDestroyer

RIP you beautiful beast ❤️❤️❤️

Richard Hoiles smashes it out the park. Brilliant

"Relentless remorseless" denman in two words absaloutly brilliant horse what an era in racing that was I still watch demands and kauto's races and its 2021

Rip Denman and Kauto Star, their time on this earth has filled people with so many wonderful memories thanks lads

This is the most complete performance I have ever seen in a Gold Cup. No other horse could have done to Kauto Star what Denman did. Kauto Star couldn't go with him, and Denman made Kauto Star make mistakes, he was foot perfect, he was relentless, and he was never going to stop. Incredible beast. At his best, I don't think anything would of beaten Denman. Especially when you consider he was supposedly difficult to train, had injuries then that heart problem. Remarkable horse.

I got into horse racing late at the age of 29 in 2007 and boy did I get into it at the right time with Denman and Kauto Star wonderful horses and racing on the NH was awesome brings a smile watching these again I dont think any horses will com as close to these 2 ever again

Everytime I see denman winning the gold cup just gets better and better and what a performance and denman was my favorite national hunt chaser

I will never get sick of watching this !!! Every now and then I wonder back to it

One of the best performances in the gold cup ever and he ran some top top top-class horses into the ground!

I went down with friends to the yard on a stable tour and was lucky enough to have photos taken with theses two great horses. kauto Star was one of the friendliest horse's you could meet but Denman showed his backside to us all the time and wouldn;t come to peoples calls, but wow what an honour it was that day meet two great champions god bless both great champions. I think that was the greatest gold cup that i have ever seen 2 of the all time great steeple chasers xx

Remember this race so well, I took the early 7/1 on Denman as I couldn’t see the value in Kauto Star. Two greats in their own right, amazing memories!!

RIP. Easily the greatest chaser I ever had the pleasure to witness.

My all time favourite race, Denman was awesome !

Goosebumps every time I watch

We all have "my" cheltenham race, and this is mine... must watch this once a week or so..... love the "Denman, with an economy of effort..." .. who thought that one up..🤣

Good to see someone who talks sense, around Cheltenham Denman is the man

"Denmans got him at it!"

I still think that is the best commentary ever

Memories of a great horse Sad News Today Regarding Denman RIP The Tank

Nothing....NOTHING was beating Denman that day. Just AWESOME!

Just awesome and ran them into the ground. My favourite chaser an absolute Tank!!

Denman...best chaser of the past 50 years!!!

One of the great gold cup victories

RIP the Tank. Amazing horse.

Best race of all time for me. Loved them both and Neptune and ED. In terms of the best, always felt that Denman won the battle but lost the war

Richard Hoiles could commentate on boiling an egg and make it exciting, gives me goosebumps everytime 👌🏼

still gives me goosebumps

R.I.P Denman.

what a perormance,to win another henessy with top weight after running this race was amazing ,enjoy your retirement tank ... thanks for the memories

Miss denman what a legend of a horse!

Denman = Legend!

Best gold cup we've had in years

My love of Denman keeps drawing me to this race (and the 2nd Hennessy race win too) just to witness again his courage and ability on the highest stage. "The Tank" lives up to his name as you watch him travel around that final bend at the top of the hill, can't believe he is traveling that fast after nearly 2 and a half miles at the highest pace, he is putting everything into it, and if anybody doesn't think that horses want to win races then here is your proof they do. Unbelievable animal and one of the best of his generation. "The answer is Denman - Denman wins the Gold Cup!!!"

denman a legend my fav chaser of all time,i will never forget his 2008 demolition job.

Rest in peace Denman. You are the epitome of the words "steely determination". A true champion.

Not heard a better commentary on a race since this 20008 Gold Cup, It was just orgasmic from Richard Hoiles and although I love Kauto Star, Denman put him firmly in his place this day!!!

Amazing Amazing horse, the Tank, will be sorely missed. Gave me such a thrill in 2008. Never forgotten...

Brilliant commentary

2 amazing horses

Absolute legend of an horse what a star he was

Denman nailed those jumps, so tidy and elegant

He jumps the fences like they are hurdles the best jumper ever and what an engine

Phenomenal!

I have been watching racing since the early 90's and i suppose in racing terms i am a baby but this is the best commentary i have ever had on a very overhyped event. it was meant to be a 2 horse show but relentless remorseless Denman pounded Kauto Star and the rest into submition.

i am a big DENMAN fan and this was the greatest performance by Denman i have seen

My God what can you say about Denman RIP just one huge Superstar 🎉🎉

Denman is no question the greatest. Taking nothing nothing away from a very classy Kauto Star. Both go down in history as awesome racehorses.

Two greatest chasers of modern times

an absolutely awesome performance of jumping and galloping. cant believe that was almoost 3 years ago now. i remember micky fitzgerald recalling how when denman took up the running with a circuit to go he was happy to let denman go on as if he tried to go that pace his mount (neptune collognes) wouldnt finish the race. . i think the sheer pace denman is going at is illustared by how quickly the field gets strung out after he takes up the running.

Never seen a horse like him! This is why I love horse racing. Very sad to hear about his retirement but he owes nothing to anyone. I will still wear my denman scarf to many cheltenhams to come. Thank the Tank for the memories!

Everyone says that, My Nicholls said himself, nothing could touch Denman that day Kauto was fine, he simply couldnt live with the pace of the tank

The best Gold cup display of all time

happy retirement tank- he was an awesome horse. his gold victory was the best perfomance i have ever seen. a pure demolition job. i doubt i will see his like again

Goosebumps racing

I backed Denman that day at 9/4. What a thrilling race

probably more the peoples horse than kauto. hope he has a great life now. brought joy to millions. true warrior, will never forget these moments.

On his day! Unbeatable.

Denman has had a breathing operation before this years renewal so holds every chance. He doesn't know he's getting any older plus he goes brilliantly fresh. What a Beast of an animal he is. He never gives up and that's why we love him.

I was never a fan of horseracing but this video turned me into a fan lol

"RELENTLESS......REMORSELESS..............DENMAN THE DESTROYER!!!!!! " :-))

@cmcgrath10 Denman was the better horse at his best, and only a heart condition changed that. He battered Kauto Star here

Denman another great horse to b born and bred in Ireland ☘☘☘

1 of the best horses I’ve seen absolute class my favourite best mate was another master class