Tiger Roll was pipped at the post by Delta Work in the final race of a prestigious career.
The 4.10 at Cheltenham looked to be heading for an iconic finish as the 3/1 Tiger took the final jumps in the lead, in pursuit of a sixth victory at the Festival.
A raucous backing from the crowd cheered every final hurdle before Delta Work, at 5/2 ridden by Jack Kennedy, edged ahead at the last.
The going was not in Tiger Roll’s favour with the wet conditions at Cheltenham dampening the 12-year-old’s chances, yet the performance was a stirring one as he bowed out in near-perfect circumstances.
Owner Michael O'Leary said of the Gordon Elliott-trained Tiger Roll: “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.”
