Ladbrokes punter collects winning bet on Denman's second Hennessy Gold Cup more than 16 years later

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Denman's memorable second Hennessy Gold Cup win under top weight is still creating memories after one Ladbrokes punter remarkably claimed his £60 winnings more than 16 years after 'The Tank' crossed the winning line.

"Better late than never" was the verdict from Ladbrokes, who paid out the winnings on a £10 bet placed at odds of 5-1 on November 20, 2009, eight days before the famous Newbury contest.

He was sent off 11-4 favourite, having not won since his Cheltenham Gold Cup victory a year and a half before, and despite his mammoth rating of 174, he pounded his rivals into submission under Ruby Walsh, eventually pulling clear of What A Friend by three and a half lengths in one of the great weight-carrying performances.

The betting slip on Denman claimed more than 16 years after his winCredit: Ladbrokes

It was his second Hennessy and hailed as "an unforgettable performance" by the Racing Post's esteemed writer Alastair Down in the immediate aftermath, although it ended up being the last of Denman's 14 wins in a stunning career.

However, the joy lived on when the unnamed punter came to collect last weekend, having realised he had failed to do so only "while cleaning out clothes" more than 5,850 days after the race was won.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "This winning slip was so old, it was just two years away from being able to walk into one of our shops and collect itself . . . still, better late than never!"

Sixteen years is a long time...

Here are some of the things in racing that had not happened when the bet became a winning one.

• Frankel had not seen a racecourse
• Willie Mullins had only 17 Cheltenham Festival winners, a figure which now stands at 113
• Rachael Blackmore had yet to start her riding career, let alone finish it
• Dan Skelton and Francis Graffard were among the leading names who had not started their training careers

Read this next:

How Alastair Down described Denman's incredible second Hennessy 

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