GAME FOR THE GOLD CUP

TRAINER Paul Nicholls drew favourable comparisons with his 2008 Gold Cup winner Denman as Topofthegame landed the RSA Chase under an ultra-cool ride from Harry Cobden. Like Denman, Topofthegame, who was winning his first chase, carries the green and white colours of Nicholls’ landlord Paul Barber, who owns him in partnership with Chris Giles. Denman also won the 2007 RSA Chase and Nicholls is confident that in Topofthegame, a giant at 18 hands, he has a gelding who can make the same step. Nicholls said: ‘He is very similar to Denman and he probably has more boot than him. Denman was an out-and-out slogger. This fella has a touch of class and is very exciting. ‘I have always believed he will be a Gold Cup horse. We will train him as one next season.’ As the RSA Chase built to a crescendo, both runner-up Santini and third-placed favourite Delta Wave loomed but Cobden, 20, in his first season as Nicholls’ stable jockey, unleashed his mount at the last to win by a cosy half-length.