Guitar Pete in his Irish days© Photo Healy Racing
Guitar Pete claimed something of a hollow victory following the death of Starchitect in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Foxtail Hill took the 10-strong field along for much of the two-mile-five-furlong journey before David Pipe's Starchitect, runner-up in last month's BetVictor Gold Cup at the track, bounded into the lead down the hill.
The six-year-old turned for home with a significant lead, but he broke down on the run to the second fence from the finish and was swiftly pulled up and dismounted by Tom Scudamore.
Pipe confirmed that Starchitect suffered a broken hind leg.
He said: "No horse deserves that and Starchitect definitely didn't deserve it.
"He was a real tough customer and always tried his heart out. This was going to be his day today.
"Paul and Clare Rooney (owners) weren't here today and our thoughts are with them.
"He just broke a hind leg. It is just a freak accident but they happen.
"These things can happen out in a field on the racecourse. They can happen anywhere.
"We hope they never do but they do from time to time."
King's Odyssey and 3-1 favourite Clan Des Obeaux were left in front once Starchitect suffered a fatal injury, but the Nicky Richards-trained Guitar Pete picked them both up on the run-in.
The 9-1 chance galloped on strongly under his light weight to score by two and three-quarter lengths in the hands of 3lb claimer Ryan Day.
Clan Des Obeaux finished second, while King's Odyssey was third.
Speaking from Doncaster, Richards told Press Association Sport: "It's awful what happened to the other horse (Starchitect) and my heart goes out to Mr and Mrs Rooney.
"Nobody likes to see that and our thoughts are with them."
Of Guitar Pete, the Greystoke handler added: "It's great to win. Everybody knows Cheltenham is the place to win, but it's very hard to get winners there.
"Our horse was badly hampered at the first fence last time and was basically taken out of the race.
"We knew he was well then and he's freshened up since and was bouncing at home, so we were hopeful he'd run a big race.
"I can't remember when my last winner at Cheltenham was. I remember The French Furze winning there for us with Brian Harding riding him (in 2006).
"We've had a few winners there and a lot of horses run well, but it is a very hard place to get winners."
On future plans, Richards said: "We'll get him home and see how he is.
"We'll have a look at the programme book and see what we can find. If he wants a little break until the spring we'll do that.
"We'll be guided by the horse and try and do right by him."
