Valiramix could have been next Istabraq - Pipe Martin Pipe admitted today that Valiramix - put down following last Tuesday`s Smurfit Champion Hurdle - may well have been the next Istabraq had he not suffered such a cruel fate. The champion trainer also strongly defended jockey Barry Geraghty, who was banned for 12 days - the handler was fined £2,000 - after the running of Magnus in the Coral Eurobet Cup. Valiramix appeared to be cruising when coming to grief in the Champion on the Flat between the third and second last. Speaking on the Sunday `Pipeline`, Pipe said: 'It was very sad that poor Valiramix broke his shoulder and, alas, had to be put down. 'He could have been the next Istabraq, but who knows now? It`s very sad for everyone, from the owner to the girl who looked after him.' Pipe sent out three Festival winners, including Ilnamar in the Coral Eurobet Cup. However, the victory was tainted by the inquiry into the running of Magnus. The trainer said: 'It was great to win the Coral Cup for Joe Moran and Rodi Greene - both Irishman. 'It was just a shame the stewards did what they did to Barry Geraghty on Magnus. 'All he was doing was looking after a horse he felt was wrong. You have to do the right thing.' Pipe added: 'Blowing Wind got up to beat Lady Cricket in the Mildmay of Flete, and he`s favourite for the Grand National now and ran a great race at Aintree last year, while it was also good to win with Royal Auclair (Cathcart Chase) for Clive Smith.'
