Ruby’s ride into history a gem to lift the gloom

IT’S those things in life that people maintain can never be done that fuel mankind’s ability to consistently disprove the theory, and yesterday’s Cheltenham Gold Cup only underlined the point.

At issue was the ability of any former winner of racing’s Blue Riband to come back from defeat and regain his crown. It had not been done in 85 runnings of this race and there were those who defiantly maintained it would never be done.

Yesterday they were proved wrong when Ruby Walsh rode the 2007 champion Kauto Star to a remarkable second victory, having been demolished in last year’s race by stablemate Denman.