Denman (horse) - 2010-2011 Season

2010-2011 Season

November 27, 2010, saw Denman trying to make history in the Hennessy Gold Cup. Only 2 other horses had won the race twice before, one of whom was Arkle. In trying to achieve an unprecedented third Hennessy, Denman for the third time had to shoulder 11 stone 12 pounds top weight. Only a handful of the field were in the handicap on official ratings, and the winner and second place runners carried bottom weight of 10 stone. Sam Thomas, who took the ride, replacing the injured Ruby Walsh, always kept him handy and out of trouble, but in the home straight, Diamond Harry matched strides and eventually passed him to win, with Burton Port staying on well into second place. Denman's trainer, Paul Nicholls, after the race was delighted with the run and informed the racing public that he would not be seen until the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, where he would try to regain this prize which he last won in 2008. On the 20th February 2011, Nicholls reported that Denman had had a wind operation shortly after the Hennessy. The trainer felt that the horse had not been finishing his races as well as he could have been and so had him operated on well in advance of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. On the day of the 2011 Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Denman drifted in the betting to 9-1, with the good going expected not to suit. With jockey Sam Thomas riding him further from the pace than had sometimes been the case, he took up the running at the 3rd last fence with Kauto Star. However, Long Run pulled alongside them at the 2nd last and went clear after the last. Denman finished second.

In April, he went back to Aintree for another go at the Totesport Bowl. Ruby Walsh chose not to be hard on the horse after it became apparent he wouldn't win. He finished 5th of the six runners behind the grey Nacarat. This turned out to be his last run.