Racing:Spot Thedifference returned to a reception worthy of Dawn Run yesterday 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 the 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 was full 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 to 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 to 1 chance Casadei by a length.
An emotional Bolger added: "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."
Katie Walsh, sister of Ruby and daughter of trainer and broadcaster Ted, partnered her first British winner as Cheltenham specialist Hordago obliged in the Beards The Jewellers Cup Amateur Riders' Handicap Chase.
Walsh produced the 6 to 1 chance with a withering run over the final fence and, despite tiring on the gruelling run-in, the seven-year-old clung on by a half-length from Henry's Pride.
Winning trainer Eric McNamara said: "Katie gave him a great ride and he loves it here. That is his third win here and he has finished second in the Pertemps. He just switches on at Cheltenham and loves it."
And there was a Walsh family double as champion trainer Paul Nicholls combined with Ruby to spring a 14 to 1 shock with I'msingingtheblues in the Novices' Hurdle.
