Pentland Hills was the surprise winner of the Triumph Hurdle on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival, but the victory was tainted by the tragic death of favourite Sir Erec.
Sent off an 11/10 favourite, Sir Erec was considered one of the bankers of the week, and looked a picture at the start, despite a five minute delay to replace a shoe that had come off on his way to post.
However, he made a horrible blunder down the back straight and was immediately pulled up by jockey Mark Walsh. The horse received treatment on the spot but was put down shortly afterwards.
Quel Destin made much of the running, but blew up coming up the hill, leaving 20/1 shots Couer Sublime and Pentland Hills to contest the finish, and it was the latter under Nico De Boinville who prevailed.
Gardens Of Babylon, who shares connections with Sir Erec, stayed on well to finish third.
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