So now it’s official. If the racing gods are in a benevolent mood between now and March, we have a real Gold Cup on our hands. Last week, Kauto Star reassured his many supporters with an emphatic victory at Haydock Park; yesterday, Denman routed an 18-strong field to win the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and power his way into contention for glory at the Festival in March.

The 11-length margin of victory over Dream Alliance did not tell half the story. Carrying top weight of 11st 12lb, the giant sev-en-year-old jumped to the front with a mighty leap over the water at the end of the first circuit, reducing any talk of lack of fitness or the strength-sapping state of the Newbury turf to idle gossip.

As if mocking the claim of Paul Nicholls, his champion trainer, in the morning papers that he might need the race, Denman was almost alone on a day of slog rather than speed in looking as fresh after three and a quarter miles as he had at the start.

The Newbury crowd, who know their jumpers, dashed from every corner of this genteel course, ignoring the driving rain, to acclaim one of the most impressive winners in the 51-year history of the race. Make no mistake, this was some performance and this is some horse.

Sam Thomas, his fresh-faced young jockey, should be recording the last few weeks for posterity. Take nothing away from the 23-year-old, who has a mighty future in the game, but it might not get much better than this. Profiting from the absence of regular jockey, Ruby Walsh, Thomas has partnered Nicholls’ two chasing stars to victory in successive weekends and, in between, ridden Mr Pointment into Grand National favouritism at Aintree.

Spare a thought, though, for Walsh, clutching his injured shoulder but hurting a lot more in the wallet and the mind. How many questions will the grey-haired Irishman have to answer between Christmas and March about his mount for the Gold Cup? “He’s man enough to make the choice,” said Nicholls. Take each race as it comes is the mantra for now. For Kauto Star, that means the King George at Kempton Park on Boxing Day; for his neighbour and rival, the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown three days later. Only at Cheltenham will the track of the two comets converge.

“That was a massive performance first time out,” said Nicholls. “That reflects great credit on the horse. It’s too early to be talking about the Gold Cup. Last week was a great day, today’s a great day. A lot can happen between now and March.”

Ominously, though, for Kauto Star, Nicholls did volunteer that Denman has improved enormously since last season and still has plenty of room for improvement. But the mind went back to the press open day at Ditcheat last month and the trainer’s laughter at the sight of Denman desperately charging up the hill to keep up with the Gold Cup champion.

“Did you see him?” he asked assistant, Dan Skelton. “He wasn’t going to let him get away. Denman’s a brute, you’ve got to be careful with him. Kauto, you can do anything with him.” It’s Beauty v the Beast for the Gold Cup. Nicholls will need to be careful that his yard does not become the racing equivalent of the McLaren Formula One team last season. Kauto Star and Denman will divide philosophies as much as opinions.

Nicholls can speak of great days with some sense of perspective. Just three weeks ago, at Cheltenham, he was consoling the owners of Granit Jack and Willyanwoody, two highly promising chasers who died after falls. A lacklustre first run by Kauto Star also puzzled the trainer, who pronounced Denman a few pounds over his ideal weight for his seasonal debut yesterday.

Denman certainly filled his strapping frame in the paddock, but in joining Arkle (12st 7lb), Mill House (12st), Burrough Hill Lad (12st) and Trabolgan (11st 12lb) as winners of the Hennessy off top weight, dispelled any doubts over his temperament, his ability or his fitness.

“He never put a foot wrong throughout the whole race,” said Thomas. “Paul said not to let him get too keen over the first mile and he relaxed really well. He’s powerful, athletic and has huge scope in his jumping.”

Denman’s authority all but eclipsed another brilliant performance by Inglis Drever, who won his third consecutive Long Distance Hurdle with his customary indolence.

After a layoff of 233 days, the enigmatic eight-year-old had every right to be a little ring-rusty, but having been reminded of his business by Denis O’Regan three furlongs out, Inglis Drever came back on the bridle and galloped clear of Special Envoy to confirm his position at the head of the market to defend his World Hurdle title at the Festival. The bookmakers could not split Denman and Kauto Star, 2-1 joint favourites for the Gold Cup. There will be no fence-sit-ting come March.