Harry Findlay, now the most recognisable high-profile punter in the land, has to put his money where his mouth is to earn a crust unlike some of the pundits paid to give their opinion. So I would rather listen to Findlay than those racing correspondents who professed to being underwhelmed by Denman's performance in winning the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown last week. I thought Denman put up an excellent display, quickening off what was a slow pace.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup will be an entirely different test. Don't forget the Gold Cup is a race that was originally designed as a trial for the Grand National, which was the most prestigious race of the season when the Gold Cup was first run. It's a race that favours stamina over speed and unlike the King George VI Chase, which is the race that is invariably won by the champion steeplechaser, it often throws up surprise results. Cool Ground, Cool Dawn, Norton's Coin anyone?
Findlay, Denman's owner, made the most telling point about the clash with Kauto Star in the Gold Cup. "If they meet at Cheltenham everything [track and the pace] would be in Denman's favour. I can see us beating Kauto Star and Kauto Star still being rated the better horse - which is quite right." Denman, who we recommended here, at 5-2 is now 2-1 best-priced for the Gold Cup but for those who want an each-way bet at much bigger odds then Exotic Dancer at the general 12-1 is the one to be on. A clear second to Kauto Star in last season's Gold Cup, he gave that one a real fright at Haydock in November when going down by only half a length in the Betfair Chase. Forget his run in the King George -- the tactics were all wrong and the stable bang out of form. Exotic Dancer adores Cheltenham and he is sure to run a big race in the Gold Cup where the fast pace and track wil be to his liking.
