Cheltenham: Denman destroyed his rivals, including stablemate Kauto Star, to win the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup for trainer Paul Nicholls who claimed a famous one-two-three in the race thanks to Neptune Collonges' brave challenge.
Ridden by Sam Thomas, the 9-4 chance took over at the head of affairs with just over a circuit to go and he poured on the pressure up front.
Reigning title-holder Kauto Star, ridden by Ruby Walsh, looked in trouble coming down the hill but finished well for second, while Neptune Collonges flew for third.
The eventual third set a decent clip through the early stages but a flying leap from Denman propelled him into the lead at the 11th obstacle.
Thomas was always sitting confidently from that point, while Kauto Star, who had worryingly brushed through a number of fences at that stage, was in a decent rhythm himself.
However, the epic duel the racing world had waited for all season never really materialised as Denman and Thomas gradually turned the screw.
Having appeared to jump the third-last with a mountain to climb, Kauto Star (10-11 favourite) did begin to make some inroads into Denman's lead.
But while the winner's stride began to shorten a touch after the penultimate obstacle, a good jump at the last sealed a seven-length success.
Kauto Star responded to Ruby Walsh's urgings in gutsy style but was under pressure for second late on as Neptune Collonges got to within a short-head at the line.
Earlier, Walsh rode two winners when he guided Celestial Halo to victory over evens-favourite Franchoek in the JCB Triumph Hurdle and when claiming the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle on Fiveforthree for Willie Mullins.
Celestial Halo (5-1) made just about all the running in the two-mile juvenile championship, but Franchoek loomed up as the pair jumped the penultimate flight together.
However, Walsh was soon back in front on his own and stuck to his guns to grind out a two-and-a-quarter-length victory over Alan King's runner-up.
Sabrina Harty's Won In The Dark (16-1) ran a brave race to finish third, the same distance behind the front two.
Fiveforthree was sent off at 7-1 and led at the last and kept finding for pressure to see off 11-1 chance Venalmar, who ran a cracker for Mouse Morris.
Completing a clean sweep for Irish-trained horses was Trafford Lad (9-1), who stayed on well up the hill to claim third spot.
The Alan King-trained Nenuphar Collonges dug out a win in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle when he came from behind leaders Liskennett (16-1) and The Tother One (9-2JF) after the latter momentarily lost his way coming over the last.
Robert Thornton stayed focused, however, and led Nenuphar Collonges home with a powerful run to continue a fine festival for King.
In the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle Naiad Du Misselot (7-1) denied Kicks For Free by a short head after another thrilling finish.
Davy Russell brought the Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding from the rear to lead close home and just hold Kicks For Free (11-1) with Walsh on board.
Junior (12-1) was a gallant third with Mendo (14-1) fourth.
Baltiman set a fierce gallop forging eight lengths clear of the pack, which was led by The Package at one stage.
The long-time leader was collared by Junior after the second-last with Song Of Songs also looking dangerous.
But the fast pace set it up for the hold-up horses and it was Naiad Du Misselot who gained the day on the nod from Kicks For Free.
In the first race of the Festival's final day Whiteoak got back up to pip Refinement in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle.
In a pulsating finish Jason Maguire on Whiteoak (20-1) mugged Tony McCoy on Refinement (10-1) in the last stride for a short-head verdict.
Refinement only took it up from Whiteoak on the run-in but Donald McCain's runner rallied in the dying strides as Refinement drifted towards the centre of the track to force her head in front on the line.
Chomba Womba, the 100-30 favourite, was two and a half lengths back in third.
Cheltenham 5.20
1 Silver Jaro (N Fehily) 50-1
2 Psycho (P Carberry) 5-1 Fav
3 French Saulaie (R Johnson) 40-1
4 Rio De Janeiro (Paul Moloney) 66-1
22 ran
Non Runners: 1,2,6,20,24,25
Cheltenham 4.40
1 Tiger Cry (D N Russell) 15-2
2 My Petra (M A Fitzgerald) 3-1 Fav
3 Calatagan (T J Dreaper) 50-1
4 Andreas (R Walsh) 10-1
17 ran
Non Runners: 5,13
Cheltenham 4.05
1 Amicelli (Mr O Greenall) 33-1
2 Bon Accord (Mr J E Tudor) 15-2
3 Arctic Times (Mr D Murphy) 40-1
23 ran
Also: 5-1 Fav Agus A Vic, 33-1 Climate Control 4th
Non Runner: 22
Cheltenham 3.30
1 Denman (S Thomas) 9-4
2 Kauto Star (R Walsh) 10-11 Fav
3 Neptune Collonges (M A Fitzgerald) 25-1
12 ran
Also: 16-1 Halcon Genelardais 4th
Non Runners: 13,14,15
Cheltenham 2.50
1 Nenuphar Collonges (R Thornton) 9-1
2 Liskennett (N P Madden) 16-1
3 The Tother One (S Thomas) 9-2 Jt Fav
18 ran
Also: 9-2 Jt Fav Carruthers, 20-1 Siegemaster 4th
Non Runner: 2
Cheltenham 2.15
1 Celestial Halo (R Walsh) 5-1
2 Franchoek (A P McCoy) Evens Fav
3 Won In The Dark (A J McNamara) 16-1
14 ran
Also: 25-1 Songe 4th
Non Runner: 4
Cheltenham 1.40
1 Naiad du Misselot (D N Russell) 7-1
2 Kicks For Free (R Walsh) 11-1
3 Junior (R Thornton) 12-1
4 Mendo (T Siddall) 14-1
24 ran
Also: 11-2 Fav County Zen
Non Runners: 4,6,12,28
Cheltenham 1.05
1 Fiveforthree (R Walsh) 7-1
15 ran
Also: 4-1 Fav Aigle D'or
Non Runner: 10
Cheltenham 12.30
1 Whiteoak (J M Maguire) 20-1
2 Refinement (A P McCoy) 10-1
3 Chomba Womba (M A Fitzgerald) 10-3 Fav
13 ran
Also: 7-1 Gaspara 4th