Imperious Gold Cup display as Kauto's star falls

It was also a first victory in Cheltenham's blue riband chase for Paddy Brennan, tipped to be a future champion jockey, and compensated this naturally talented horseman for Khyber Kim's honourable second in the Champion Hurdle.

In a dramatic race, the odds-on favourite Kauto Star – seeking a third victory in the totesport-sponsored race – blundered badly at the eighth before crashing out at the fourth last when a beaten horse.

It left stablemate Denman, the 2008 victor and the mount of Tony McCoy, and Imperial Commander clear turning for home.

Briefly, there were hopes that Denman could pull off a famous victory but Brennan was sitting motionless on the 7-1 winner, a course specialist trained a few miles from the Cotswolds track, and galloped clear to win by seven lengths with Mon Mome, last year's Grand National hero, a creditable third at 50-1.

Imperial Commander's victory capped the most successful week in a generation for bookmakers – Kauto Star was the third of four Festival 'bankers' to be defeated, with only Big Buck's prevailing in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

"It was a result beyond our wildest dreams. The cheers for Imperial Commander came from the bookies and we roared him up the Cheltenham hill," said Ladbrokes spokesman David Williiams on the betting industry's 60m windfall.

As the winner passed the post, and a stunned crowd counted their losses, Brennan turned to the stands and put his finger to his lips.

"All we've heard for the last three months is Denman and Kauto Star," explained the 28-year-old. "It's good for racing but it was never a two-horse race."

The narrowest of seconds to Kauto Star in last November's Betfair Chase, Brennan knew that the nine-year-old had the credentials to take on the market leaders.

He was quick to pay tribute to the winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies while play ingdown his own tactical acumen in the saddle.

"I'm speechless. It was a dream the whole way," said the County Galway-born jockey who won the 2007 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby in 2007 on Twiston-Davies's stalwart Ollie Magern.

Forty minutes later, Baby Run – ridden by Twiston-Davies's teenage son Sam – won the Christie's Foxhunter Chase, the Gold Cup for amateur riders. The winning jockey was embraced by his younger brother on a day of high emotions.

Then Brennan completed his double, and a treble for the stable, when 16-1 chance Pigeon Island won the finale.

When asked which win gave him the greatest pleasure, the trainer had no doubts. "To be dreadfully honest it would have to be the Foxhunter," he said. "I was hugely proud of Sam and he rode a beautiful race."

As to Imperial Commander, who is owned by the Our Friends in the North syndicate of enthusiasts, Twiston-Davies said the result vindicated his decision to line-up in the Gold Cup and ignore those who questioned his horse's stamina.

He is already looking forward to defending his crown next year – Imperial Commander has now won six races at Cheltenham – while champion trainer Paul Nicholls reported that his two stable stars were unharmed by their excursions.

As potential comparisons with Arkle became redundant, Kauto Star's jockey Ruby Walsh added: "You cannot afford to make mistakes like that in Grade One company."

Denman's co-owner Harry Findlay said connections are contemplating a tilt at next year's Grand National – even though they will be burdened by top weight.

Mon Mome's jockey Aidan Coleman already has his sights on next month's National.

He said: "Roll on Aintree. As you expect from a Grand National winner he got outpaced, but he stayed on great."

The final word goes to Brennan, a former stalwart of Yorkshire racing when based with County Durham trainer Howard Johnson.

He told the Yorkshire Post last October that a good day racing was when he drove home in one piece. He revised that opinion last night.

"I wish today could last forever," he said, unable to wipe the smile from his face – and with every justification.