Kauto the Gold star once again

Having grabbed the crown in 2007, he lost it to Denman 12 months later but achieved what no other horse has ever managed to do in regaining it - and he did it in stunning fashion.

Ruby Walsh always looked confident on the Paul Nicholls-trained 7-4 favourite and was probably in front sooner than he wanted, but he jumped the final two fences brilliantly to reverse the order of last year, winning by 13 lengths, with Exotic Dancer third.

Walsh said: "He's the greatest horse I've ever ridden. 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.

"He jumped super, travelled so well all the way and I was probably in front sooner than I wanted but he just took me there. He was brilliant two out and pinged the last - which is unusual for him - I've had an amazing week and he was the one I wanted to win with. He's a legend."

Nicholls said: "He's fit, he's fresh, he was never going to get beat today, but what a race Denman ran - two weeks ago you'd have drawn stumps. It was a huge run from him and he'll be back next year. Kauto Star was fresh, very fit and the ground came right. He's a very good horse.

"In my mind he was never going to get beat today and he is very good when he is like that. I enjoyed watching the race today as I had every confidence in him that he would do what he did.

"We know Kauto has to be fresh and we will just have three runs next season, Down Royal, Kempton and then back for a third Gold Cup. To get him here today and Denman to run as good as that will give everyone pleasure as well. What an unbelievable horse Kauto Star is."

Owner Clive Smith said: "I'm staggered. What a wonderful run, the best he's ever run I think. It's unbelievable to have won the Champion Chase (with Master Minded) and now this. I can't believe it.

"I just felt he was in great, great form. Paul and Ruby both said to me that this was the best he's ever been. The best race of his career, the best of his life, and my life."