Denman is the toast after a roasting

Jockey Sam Thomas was the Cheltenham hero after partnering Denman to a stunning Gold Cup win from reigning champion Kauto Star just 45 minutes after a severere primand from trainer Paul Nicholls.

The emphatic victory landed co-owner Harry Findlay £600,000 in winning bets, and official handicappers now rate Denman better than Desert Orchid.

The triumph followed earlier tension when champion trainer NIcholls was upset that Thomas, 23, had allowed third-placed The Tother One to hit the front too soon in the preceding Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, causing him to wander on the run-in.

Thomas also received a one-day ban for causing interference but all was soon forgiven as he dominated the battle of the giants on a horse who could win the blue riband of chasing for another three years.

With four fences to go, Findlay was phoning friends to place more in-running wagers on Betfair, so sure was he of victory after Denman had tracked stable companion Neptune Collonges for a circuit.

On the 25th anniversary of Michael Dickinson's astonishing first five home in Bregawn's Gold Cup, Nicholls trained the first three from only three runners.

Nicholls said: 'Denman got Kauto Star on the back foot. Perhaps the going was a bit tacky for Kauto because he didn't jump as well as he can.'

Thomas, watched by his proud Abergavenny head teacher parents Dot and Geoff, was on his first Festival winner.

He said: 'Denman jumped brilliantly and once in front he loved it. This season has been a fairytale for me and this is the icing on the cake. I'd gone through the race in my mind and it all went perfectly.'

Kauto Star's owner Clive Smith sportingly said: 'Denman always had him — he was ferocious. [Jockey] Ruby Walsh said he was beaten a mile from home. We will definitely take on Denman again. Horses are not machines.'

Denman's effort was not good enough to make him the best chaser, even in his stable. That honour goes to Queen Mother Champion chaser Master Minded who recorded a mark of 186, 1lb higher, when winning on Thursday.