Nicholls and Walsh in attendance at opening of Denman gates at Newbury

Harry Findlay, Paul Barber and the rest of the team behind dual Hennessy Gold Cup winner Denman were reunited before racing at Newbury on Friday for the unveiling of a permanent tribute to the great chaser known affectionately as "The Tank".

At an opening ceremony attended also by Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh and Sam Thomas, iron gates, designed and made in collaboration by equine sculptor Charlie Langton and celebrated local blacksmith Guy Clarkson came in for warm praise from all.

Barber, who owned Denman in partnership with Findlay's late mother Margaret, said: "I think they are fabulous. Everyone will come in here years after I’ve gone and still know who Denman was."

Findlay, a rare visitor to the racecourse these days, added: "I live in Devon now, so when I come up to London on the train I see them as we pass through. Newbury was the first racecourse I visited as a kid. The whole Denman story was unbelievable. I am sure these gates will be here for a long time."

It is ten years since Denman became the first horse since Arkle to win the race now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase for a second time. Both of his wins were gained in trademark style under top weight, and the second of them was celebrated all the more by his legion of fans as he had undergone treatment for a heart condition.

Denman also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008, defeating Kauto Star, his great rival and next door neighbour at Ditcheat, and finished second in it three times before his retirement in 2011.

Nicholls said: "These gates are a fitting tribute to Denman and they are permanent. Everyone has some great memories of Denman so anything that remembers him is fantastic."

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