Delta Work (5-2 favourite) denied stable-mate and one of chasing's biggest stars, Tiger Roll (3-1), one last Cheltenham Festival victory on the second day of the 2022 meeting.
Gordon Elliott's dual Randox Grand National hero won't be bidding for a hat-trick of successes at Aintree Racecourse next month as he heads off into retirement. But it wasn't on the back of a record-equalling sixth Festival winner as it was Delta Work who landed the Glenfarclas Chase (A Cross Country Chase) in a thrilling battle to the line.
The nine-year-old, under Jack Kennedy, got back up to beat Tiger Roll and Davy Russell by three-quarters-of-a-length in a race the latter has previously won three times.
READ MORE: 92 entries remain in the Grand National after dual winner Tiger Roll taken out
Both owned by Gigginstown House Stud it is now Delta Work who heads to Aintree on the back of a success that enhances the former Grade One winner's chances of victory in the world's greatest steeplechase on April 9.
It seemed the rain-softened ground had scuppered Tiger Roll's bid to emulate Quevega's record six Cheltenham Festival victories but, as he has througout an amazing career, he put up a real fight. On his 45th and final start of a career which started in 2014 and saw him earn more than £1.4 million in prize-money, he travelled and jumped superbly under Russell and took it up at the 24th of the 32 fences.
And on the run-in just as it seemed he was going to triumph, Delta Work got back up to score to some boos from the crowd. Plan Of Attack was a further 21 lengths further back in third.
To cheers, both Both Delta Work and Tiger Roll were led back into the winner's enclosure together.
An emotional owner Michael O'Leary, who owns the Gigginstown House Stud whose maroon and white-starred colours both horses carried, said: "I really would have loved to see Tiger go out on a win. It's hard not be disappointed. You've a winner at Cheltenham and I'm disappointed.
"It's just a magical fairytale on ground that doesn't suit him. He's gone out on his shield, he's a warrior and that's a Gold Cup horse that has beat him and only just on ground he wouldn't like.
"I'm actually upset – I would have loved to see him win it."
READ MORE: Energumene lands Champion Chase as Shishkin pulled up
He added: "This is his send-off – he owes us nothing. He's been wonderful to come back here for the six, seven, eight years.
"He's been the horse of a lifetime and in many ways Cheltenham has been his spiritual home. He's won five times here in Cheltenham. I know he's won two Grand Nationals, but he started here in Cheltenham.
"To start off winning the Triumph Hurdle here as a four-year-old, then win the National Hunt Chase and three cross-country races, it's incredible. He's a legend."
County Meath trainer Elliott said: “Of course, I wanted the Tiger to win but once I’d won the race I didn’t mind as it was for Gigginstown who are massive supporters of us – and the reception he got when he came into the ring is what it’s all about.
"He’s been the horse of a lifetime and I’m very lucky to have had him – he goes back to Michael O’Leary’s now. He’s been with us for nine years now and to be honest I had a tear in my eye there, it’s unbelievable. If he’d have won it would have been special but he ran his heart out and we’re absolutely delighted.
“We’ve always had faith in him and it’s brilliant, he’s really enjoyed the game and it’s a great result. The reaction from the crowd didn’t really surprise me to be honest and if he’d have won the cheer would have been unbelievable.
"He got the reaction he deserved and we’re very proud of him. He will be a big loss for the yard but he’ll only be at Gigginstown which is down the road, so they can go and see him whenever they want.
“The ground really suited Delta Work and it was a great performance from the winner – he can enjoy this race for a few years now.”
On the mixed reception he got on winner Delta Work, jockey Kennedy said: "It's understandable (the boos). Obviously everybody would have loved to see Tiger Roll win, but you can't take away from my horse either. It would have been a great story for Tiger Roll to win.
“Everybody hates me now but I don’t care! I thought I was always going to get there really. A lot of people don’t like me now after that but it doesn’t really bother me to be honest. After I schooled him the other day I said to my brother that I might be the most hated man in Cheltenham on Wednesday evening, and I was right.
READ MORE: Sir Gerhard lands opener on the second day of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival
“He’s been very disappointing all year but the switch to this cross country race has rejuvenated him. All of the schooling and everything was brilliant and I’m delighted.
“I thought the ground had gone for Tiger Roll and I was surprised at how well he was going to be honest, but I suppose it was in the back of my head that he might not get up the hill as good as my lad on that ground. I actually expected to pick him up a bit easier, but my lad just ground him down in the end.
“Delta Work is after getting a new lease of life. He hasn’t been travelling as well as he’s travelled today and maybe he’s got sick of it, but this has really lit him up.
“I was disappointed yesterday as I had a great book of rides, but we are on the board now.
“He’s in the Grand National, and I would hope I’d be on him."
