Kauto Star makes history in Gold Cup

Kauto Star made history on day four of the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, becoming the first horse in history to win back the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Kauto Star, who lost his title to Denman in the 2008 edition of the race, was ridden perfectly by Ruby Walsh in the festival's blue riband event.

Another Paul Nicholls entry, Neptune Collonges, led the field in the early stages before Kauto Star and Denman began pulling ahead with five fences to go.

Sam Thomas pushed Denman all the way over the final furlongs of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Kauto Star wasn't going to repeat the mistakes he made last year and surged into a commanding lead to take the race.

Further back Neptune Collonges conceded third place to Exotic Dancer, who added third place in the race to the second place he achieved in 2007.

The win handed Ruby Walsh his seventh race of the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, breaking the previous record of six wins by a jockey at a single festival.

“He's the greatest horse I've ever ridden," Walsh said to Sky Sports. "Two miles, three miles, now two Gold Cups. He's magic, he's a wonder horse.”

"He travelled super all the way. I planned to follow Christian (Williams on Neptune Collonges) over the second last, but he pinged four out, pinged three out and two out as well. I love him anyway."