Shades of Denman as Topofthegame comes top of the class in RSA thriller

More than a decade has passed since Denman bullied his way to victory in the RSA Chase, but the memories came flooding back as Topofthegame put in a performance that had the stamp of 'The Tank' smothered all over as he won the same race 12 years later.

Not only trained and owned like Denman by Paul Nicholls and Paul Barber, Topofthegame – all 17-plus hands of him – has the same sort of physical presence as the Ditcheat legend and all roads are heading to the Gold Cup in 12 months' time, when Topofthegame will be out to emulate his esteemed predecessor.

“He’s not unlike Denman and, God willing, will be in the Gold Cup next year,” said an elated Nicholls, getting on the festival scoresheet for the first time this week.

“He's got plenty of boot and this is the only race we’ve been training him for. The next one will be next year's Gold Cup."

Watch a thrilling RSA Chase

There was not the end-to-end frantic gallop often associated with the RSA, with challengers queuing up from the top of the hill. Yet as the tempo heightened, market leaders Delta Work, Santini and Topofthegame were the ones taking the eye.

At Kempton in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase, Topofthegame was arguably in front too soon, but there was no way rider Harry Cobden, growing taller by the day in his role as Nicholls’ number one, was blinking first this time and it was only heading to the last that Topofthegame saw clear daylight.

He duly soared over the final obstacle and the advantage he gained from Santini in the air he held all the way to the line, with Delta Work a length and three-quarters back in third.

Paul Barber: his old favourite Denman won the Gold Cup and he hopes Topofthegame can do the sameCredit: Edward Whitaker

“Thankfully, we timed it right,” said Cobden, the coolest man in Cheltenham’s cauldron. “He’s just doing it easy in front and I’d say he’d go on again if one had come to him – he’s a proper horse. You’d have to say he’s a Gold Cup horse.”

The only man resisting comparisons to Denman was perhaps the one who knew him best, as Barber, who owns Topofthegame with wife Marianne and Chris Giles, pointed to a number of differences.

“He doesn’t actually remind me of Denman," said Barber. “He’s tall and leggy and Denman was ignorant, whereas this one goes along with you.

“He’s so big and just lollops along and pops over the fences; he made it look so easy. I’ve got a Gold Cup horse this year [Clan Des Obeaux] and there’s always a chance of this one going in the Gold Cup in the future."

Beaten but not bowed, Santini put in a hearty effort in second, especially considering he had been a doubt for the race with foot issues in the last ten days.

Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "I wish I had a clear run at it but I'm not making excuses. Fair play to the winner, he's the one I always said would be the hardest to beat. Both horses have a great future."

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