Gold Cup goes to Planet as Denman struggles
Report: Punchestown, Wednesday
Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m1f, 6yo+
PLANET OF SOUND took the honours in an eventful running of the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup, with War Of Attrition running a fine race to take second on his final start and Cooldine completing the places.
A headstrong performance by fourth-placed Denman left Tony McCoy facing a constant battle to keep the former Gold Cup champion in the race.
"He was unridable at times," said McCoy. "There wasn't much I could do. If they were going the other way he'd have won a minute."
The Gold Cup second, sent off an 11-8 favourite, showed no reluctance to jump off, but from his wild leap at the first it was clear that Punchestown was witnessing a different Denman tothe horse who relentlessly galloped his rivals into submission in the 2008 Gold Cup and 2009 Hennessy.
Siegemaster cut out the early running but Paul Townend was swiftly forced to allow his mount Cooldine to take up the lead, one of anumber of jockeys who were denied an easy ride by their mounts.
None were more troublesome than Denman, however, who ran in snatches, jumped poorly, and rarely allowed McCoy to dictate affairs.
The champion jockey did deserve credit for preserving the partnership and, for all Denman's obvious surliness, it occasionally looked as if his brute force might subjugate these rivals.
It was 14-1 chance Planet Of Sound who proved superior, however, taking up the running a long way from home and holding off all challengers to record a two-and-a-half length victory over 20-1 hope War Of Attrition, who performed admirably in what was his swansong race.
Totesport quoted the winner as a 16-1 chance for next year's Tote-sponsored Gold Cup, although trainer Phillip Hobbs nominated the William Hill King George VI Chase as the target.
He said: "I'm chuffed to bits. When he was quite keen early it made it more of a worry but he stayed on well when it mattered.
"Obviously something was amiss at Cheltenham when he gurgled but there were no problems today.
"We can dream all summer now and consider the big races. He has plenty of pace and the King George seems an obvious target."
Paul Nicholls confirmed Denman would return next season, saying: "It's a case of nothing ventured, nothing gained. We didn't think he'd be like that.
"It was obvious after three fences what was happening. The further he went, the worse he went.
"It's obvious he has to go the other way. He'll start next season in the Hennessy."
War Of Attrition-owner Michael O'Leary said: "It was a fantastic run from him. We'll take him home in a couple of weeks and the plan is to hunt him for a couple of years."
Willie Mullins, trainer of third home Cooldine, said: "We've been playing catch up all season.
"He was not right before Christmas and he's finally come right but the season is over now."
Paul Nolan, who withdrew Joncol after the first race due to the faster going, was disappointed when hearing he would be fined €750.
Nolan was fined €500 for the withdrawl, and fined a further €250 for the lateness of the withdrawal which was made at 3.50.p.m, one hour and 40 minutes before the race.
Nolan said: " I know they watered after racing yesterday but it was a bright sunny day and in my opinion that ground dried out during the day. Joncol is almost 18 hands and I wasn't prepared to risk him.
"I am very disappointed by the fine, especially as the decision was made in the best interests of the horse."
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