Paul Nicholls and the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2009 By Bob Henry At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

The Analysis of Greatness

The premier feature race of the Cheltenham festival is the Cheltenham Gold Cup and trainer ‘supremo’ Paul Nicholls is clearly on a mission. As with last year, three of the leading steeds, as far as the bookmakers are concerned, are Nicholls’ prodigies!

Denman, Kauto Star and Neptune Collognes have all been carefully coaxed and cajoled by the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation and all have proved their value over and over again to the young man who started his career with a handful of horses and rented stables.

Since then he has vaulted into fame and is arguably one of the most successful trainer’s of all time. Over 1500 horses have been guided to victory under his watchful eyes and he has been crowned King of the tracks, as champion trainer, a trio of times.

At the 2008 edition of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Nicholls etched his name into hunt folklore when his three charges came in 1, 2 and 3, a feat he is hoping to emulate again this year. He has already claimed the Cup kudos three times and is arguably pretty much on track for a fourth triumph.

Nicholls’ is fortunate enough to have the incomparable Ruby Walsh at the helm of many of his Cheltenham Festival picks, and this marriage of extreme talent has made them a formidable team indeed.

Odds are definitely in the affable Englishman’s favour to claim gold again at Cheltenham and when you take a quick glance down the long list of his Cheltenham Festival achievements, then you may well be tempted to part with a bit of filthy lucre on one of his horses!

Nicholls’ Cheltenham Festival accolades

Queen Mother Champion Chase – Call Equinane (99), Azertyuiop (04), Master Minded (08)
Arkle Chase – Flagship Uberalles (99), Azertyuiop (03)
Gold Cup – See More Business (99), Kauto Star (07), Denman (08)
King George VI Chase – Kauto Star (06, 07, 08)
RSA Chase – Star de Monaison (06), Denman (07)
Novice’s Hurdle – Noland (06)
Festival Trophy – Thisthatandtother (05), Taranis (07)
Triumph Hurdle – Celestial Halo (08)
Denman – the true hunt champion

Denman was born in Ireland in 2000 and was immediately spotted by a Paul Barber scout, one of Nicholls’ main owners, as a possible great. It wasn’t long before he was hard in training with Nicholls, who put him through his paces almost immediately at the Cheltenham Festival. That day he lost the Novices Hurdles to Nicanor, the only loss he has suffered to date, two seasons on!

However, a little later on, Denman was partnered by premier hunt jockey, Ruby Walsh, in the Novice Chase and he thundered home with ease, giving a sublime exhibition of jumping, unrivalled in decades.

By the 2007/08 season Nicholls was satisfied with Denman’s form and believed he was ready for the long awaited showdown with star performer and defending champion of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Kauto Star, yet another Nicholls’ success.

Although punters, and bookmakers for that matter, favoured the experienced Kauto Star over the young Irish flame; Denman proved his pedigree by winning the elitist of Cheltenham Festival races by 7 relentless lengths!

Although Denman has had treatment recently for an irregular heartbeat, he is still the hot favourite to claim a consecutive victory in Cheltenham and all indications are that he will take it in his immense stride!

Published At: Isnare Free Articles Directory http://www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=349035&ca=Sports

Important Notice DISCLAIMER: All information, content, and data in this article are sole opinions and/or findings of the individual user or organization that registered and submitted this article at Isnare.com without any fee. The article is strictly for educational or entertainment purposes only and should not be used in any way, implemented or applied without consultation from a professional. We at Isnare.com do not, in anyway, contribute or include our own findings, facts and opinions in any articles presented in this site. Publishing this article does not constitute Isnare.com's support or sponsorship for this article. Isnare.com is an article publishing service. Please read our Terms of Service for more information.