General / Maxliu / 29 November 2009 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

Two time Hennessy Gold Cup winner given a provisional career-best rating of 181...

It must be a rather surreal feeling for owners Paul Barber and Maggie Findlay waking up this morning, knowing that their horse has just posted one of the greatest ever handicap performances in winning the Hennessy - and he isn't even as good as his next door neighbour.

Timeform today announce that Denman's superb Hennessy win off an official mark of 174 was the best performance of his career to date, and have put a provisional mark of 181 on the stunning Newbury win.

But that still puts him 3lb shy of stablemate Kauto Star, thrice a winner of the Betfair Chase and King George and bidding for a third Cheltenham Gold Cup win next March.

Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman commented: "Denman's spectacular effort yesterday will be rated at least 181, which is a higher figure than he has ever run to in the past, even when winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008.

"This performance more than confirms that he is back to his best and obviously sets up the hugely exciting potential 'decider' in March between the two highest rated jumpers in training, Kauto Star and Denman."

Kauto Star is the [3.25] favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Betfair, with Denman a [3.5] chance.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin added: "No-one could have failed to have been moved by Denman's win yesterday, but the ratings and the Gold Cup betting do bring a sense of sober reality to bear over the heady emotion.

"When Denman stuck his head out of his box this morning is must have been akin to Rafael Nadal strolling into his garden after winning the French Open in straight sets - and seeing Roger Federer smiling at him over the fence, knowing Wimbledon is just around the corner."

Leading Chasers - Current Timeform Ratings

Kauto Star 184
Denman 181 (provisional)
Master Minded 179
Madison Du Berlais 170
Voy Por Ustedes 170
Neptune Collonges 168

All-time Leading Staying Chases - Timeform Ratings

Arkle 212
Mill House 191
Desert Orchid 187
Burrough Hill Lad, Kauto Star 184
Master Oats 183
Best Mate, Captain Christy, Carvill's Hill, Kicking King, See More Business 182
Denman 181 (provisional)

Tags: Cheltenham Gold Cup latest odds, Cheltenham races, Denman, horseracing betting odds, horseracing betting tips, Kauto Star, Kieran Packman, Newbury races, The Hennessy Gold Cup, Timeform ratings, Tony Calvin