Racing: Photos from Gold Cup day at Cheltenham

Kauto Star and Denman will reprise their rivalry today in what's sure to be another classic race. It's the third year running these two charges have gone head to head, with honours even thus far. The punters, though, are heavily backing Kauto Star this year Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk A look at the form guide explains why: Denman's last run at Newbury was a horrid affair – the 10-year-old ignominiously unseating his rider, Tony McCoy Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Two supporters, Lystra Adams from Staffordshire and Paddy Lynch from Ireland, compare outfits before the race Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk The past winners board offers a reminder of previous contests. Denman led from the front in 2008 and beat the poor-jumping Kauto Star by seven lengths. But, after suffering heart problems, he was unable to rival his stable-mate in 2009, with Kauto winning a much steadier race at a canter Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk It's a packed house at Prestbury Park, with everybody straining to get a good view as the racing gets underway Photograph: Tom Jenkins The first race of the day is the JCB Triumph Hurdle and it's looking good for the 14-1 shot Barizan who starts well and has the lead for most of the race. However, when he gets to the last hurdle he makes a bad mistake and stumbles through... Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk ...which leaves the door open for Barry Geraghty, who waves his whip as he encourages Soldatino over the line. That makes it three winners in the festival so far for Geraghty, which puts him level with Ruby Walsh. Also, the win propelled Nicky Henderson to the top of the Cheltenham Festival trainers' table Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk No prizes for guessing who this chap had his money on. He would have received a reasonable return on his stake as Soldatino was priced at 6-1 Photograph: Tom Jenkins Katie Walsh celebrates after beating her brother Ruby to earn her second victory of the week on board Thousand Stars in the 2.05. Ruby's ride Tito Bustillo was the 7-1 favourite but finished well beaten in 23rd place Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Berties Dream clatters the last but goes on to win the day's third race by six lengths from Najaf Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Flowers are laid at the feet of the statue of Best Mate, the three-times winner of the Gold Cup who collapsed and died suddenly while racing at Exeter in 2005 Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Kauto Star began the Gold Cup as the 8-11 favourite while Denman was second favourite at 4-1. Among the remaining pretenders were Tricky Trickster (another to hail from Paul Nicholls's yard), Cooldine (the Irish hopeful trained by Willie Mullins) and Imperial Commander (Paddy Brennan's nine-year-old ride) Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Ruby Walsh (right) is once again on board Kauto Star - together they beat Imperial Commander and Paddy Brennan (wearing black and white) by just a head at Haydock last November ... a result which suggests today's race could be close Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Denman (centre, green silks) and Carruthers (right, red and white silks) set the pace; Kauto Star (far right) makes a dreadful error, ploughing into an early fence, yet, implausibly, he stays on his feet and Ruby Walsh in his saddle ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Kauto looks jaded thereafter and eventually goes down following another poor jump, leaving Denman and Imperial Commander to battle for the Cup Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk In an extraordinary conclusion, Denman seizes the lead, but Imperial Commander, the 7-1 shot, surges right back at him to win the Gold Cup by seven lengths Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Brennan yells out in joy as Tony McCoy congratulates him Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk A delighted Brennan said afterwards: "It's by far the best day of my life. I'm speechless. It was a dream the whole way." Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk Doubts were raised before this race as to McCoy's suitability for Denman. McCoy was controversially given the ride at Sam Thomas's expense this year. But this defeat was not McCoy's fault ... Imperial Commander simply outclassed Denman in the finish Photograph: Tom Jenkins Brennan, who claims to be a lifelong fan of McCoy's, looks stunned by his own achievement Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk The Irishman gives his horse a well-deserved kiss as they enter the winner's enclosure Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk The winning trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies receives his prize and gets a pat on the back from his jockey Photograph: Tom Jenkins Photograph: guardian.co.uk A frustrating afternoon got worse for Ruby Walsh when he was unplaced on Free World in a later race Photograph: Tom Jenkins Conversely, Paddy Brennan's day ended on another high when he won the final race on Pigeon Island Photograph: Tom Jenkins