Ruby Walsh is a 4-7 shot with Stan James to stay loyal to Kauto Star and partner him in the 2010 Gold Cup instead today’s runaway Hennessy winner Denman.
The firm make him a 5-4 chance to jump ship and get the leg up on “The Tank” who could not have been more impressive in defying 11st 12lb at the Berkshire track.
For most jockeys it would be an agonising decision to make. A fully fit Denman broke Kauto’s heart when winning the Gold Cup back in 2008 and ran a stormer after all his troubles to finish runner up to his stable companion last season.
But given the fact that he has enjoyed some of his greatest moments on Kauto we believe at punt in play that it will not take Ruby long to decide to stick with the current champ.
That’s not to say that it will be the right decision. A fully fit Denman would in my eyes always hold the upper hand over his arch rival. If they both turn up spot on next March I would expect Denman to make it 2-1 in their Gold Cup clashes.
The most interesting thing now is who will ride Denman if Ruby does stick with Kauto. It would be ironic if Sam Thomas, the man who partnered him to stunning victories in the Hennessy and Gold Cup before being cast aside like an oily rag, was given another chance and rubbed salt in the wounds by partnering him to Gold Cup glory.
He seems the most logical choice to me, and given the fact that he gave Nicholls’ What A Friend a superb ride today to be runner-up to Denman there is really no reason why he can’t be reunited with his old pal.
The mere fact that he was on the champion trainer’s horse this afternoon suggests that he has not been cast aside for good by the Ditcheat maestro. It will certainly be interesting to see what unfolds in the coming weeks and whether Sam will be given the chance he richly deserves to renew his partnership with Denman.
