Farmer Jack dies on the gallops

Farmer Jack, who was supplemented for Friday’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at a cost of £17,500 (€25,200), has died after suffering a suspected heart attack.

The Philip Hobbs-trained nine-year-old landed the Aon Chase and the Racing Post Chase on his last two starts and was a general 12-1 chance for the blue riband.

“It happened about 8.30am – he was just having an ordinary canter and just dropped dead,” said Hobbs.

"We presume it was a heart attack, but at this stage we just don’t know.”

Farmer Jack had improved on his previous efforts when stepped up to three miles on his two runs last month and was only added to the Gold Cup field on Saturday.

The news is a further blow the Festival showpiece with Kingscliff and Rule Supreme taken ruled out yesterday, and Best Mate scratched last week.