Spot Thedifference takes feature race at Cheltenham

Spot Thedifference returned to a Dawn Run-type reception after doing what he does best - winning around the unique cross-country course at Cheltenham.

However, his appearance in the winner's enclosure for a seventh time at this famous venue was all the more special as the veteran had risen to his feet following an incident passing the post in the BGC Cross Country Chase.

Initial fears were he had collapsed and the daunting green screens were erected as a deathly silence enveloped Prestbury Park.

But thankfully the 14-year-old had only slipped as JT McNamara tried to pull him up.

True to his battling qualities, he rose to his feet and strutted his way back to the paddock where hundreds of fans were waiting to greet him, with the applause and cheers lasting well past his return to pose for pictures.

His trainer Enda Bolger said: "JT said he was going so quick when he went to pull him up that his hind legs went from under him.

"It really was a worrying moment. Thankfully he hadn't collapsed, but I could do with a brandy!"

The race itself was far from devoid of drama with plenty of fallers and three jockeys appearing to take the wrong course.

Early incidents meant Spot Thedifference was unusually left in front, but this did not seem to upset the JP McManus-owned warrior and the 11-4 chance made most until challenged over the final few flights.

He had been relegated to second ahead of jumping the final obstacle but he knows his way home from there and battled back to see off 66-1 chance Casadei by a length.

An emotional Bolger continued: "To win this race four times and seven races in all here is brilliant

"He is a wonderful horse. When he won at Punchestown that was unbelievable, but this beats it - no doubt - and it is the proudest moment of my career.

"I honestly thought turning in that the other horse had got first run on us, but he is an amazing horse and when he comes to the last fence he just flies.

"That was the problem when JT went to pull him up and Spot knows where the stables are. Thank God it was just a slip.

"His battling qualities are his forte - he is never beaten here when he gets in a fight and he is unbelievable.

"Today is his day and we will see what happens in the future and take it one day at a time."

McNamara said: "He was going far too fast coming past the stands and slipped up.

"He always comes up the hill here and this means an awful lot to me. He is my favourite horse."

McManus added: "I love all my horses, but he has a place in the hearts of everyone.

"He only came to life when he was about 10 or 11 and he had problems earlier in his career.

"We thought he was retired about four years ago but thankfully Enda got him to make a comeback and thank goodness for these cross-country races as they give horses like Spot another life."

Puntal was two lengths away in third but his rider Noel Fehily picked up a 12-day ban for taking the wrong course, while David England on fifth-placed Florida Dream was given the same punishment for an identical offence.

Oliver Dayman aboard Happy Hussar also took the wrong course but was exonerated by the stewards who ruled he had been carried out.