A Cheltenham legend created by super Star

IT WAS not the tightest Gold Cup finish we have seen, nor the most exciting or gruelling. What it most certainly was, however, was the most extraordinary race in the history of the event.

And the roar of excitement from the packed stands and enclosures here at Prestbury Park which swept Kauto Star and Ruby Walsh up the fabled hill to a 13-length victory was not one borne of any normal motive. Instead it was fuelled by the collective knowledge of the 50,000 or so privileged to witness it, that they were seeing a piece of racing history that may well never be repeated.

In the annals of this storied race, no horse has ever come back from defeat to regain its crown, but yesterday both Kauto Star and Walsh defied the record book and the established laws of the Gold Cup to chisel out a unique place in racing lore.