TRAGEDY MARS GUITAR VICTORY

PITCHED BATTLE: My Tent Or Yours (left) beats The New One and Melon (right)

GUITAR PETE was a huge

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winner for the north in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham yesterday.

But it was something of a hollow victory following the death of Starchitect in the closing stages.

David Pipe’s star was well clear ★

on the run to the second last when he broke down. Pipe later confirmed he had fractured a hind leg and had to be put down.

The trainer 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.

“Owners Paul and Clare

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Rooney weren’t here and our thoughts are with them. It is just a freak accident but they happen.

“These things can happen out in a field or on the racecourse. They can happen anywhere.”

The race was left at the mercy ★

of Guitar Pete, who is trained by Nicky Richards. He saw off King’s Odyssey and Clan Des Obeaux on the run-in.

Speaking from Doncaster,

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Richards: “It’s awful what happened to the other horse.

“Nobody likes to see that and our thoughts are with them.”

Of Guitar Pete, the Greystoke ★

handler added: “Our horse was badly hampered at the first fence last time and was basically taken out of the race. He’s freshened up since and was bouncing at home.”

JASON HEAVEY IN TUNE: Guitar Pete