FAMOUS FIVE

FIVE facts about the today’s BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham

1 The race was known as the Mackeson Gold Cup from 1960 until 1995

2 Tony McCoy is the most successful jockey, winning the race four times

3 Martin Pipe is the most successful trainer with eight victories

4 Imperial Commander won the race in 2008 and went on to land the following season’s Gold Cup

5 The average winning starting price in the last 16 years is 10½-1 JUST when I thought I’d seen it all in the game, a rider not even participating in a race was almost trampled by a seven-runner field at Navan.

Teenage jockey Evan Daly was jogging round the course to improve his fitness while wearing headphones and did not realise a race was taking place behind him.

The 7lb claimer (he looks heavier) managed to dodge out of the way at the last second, denying a punter somewhere one of the best hard-luck stories in modern times.

I’m no expert when it comes to fitness. I’m the type who has an energy drink just to sit on the sofa and watch Sky Sports.

But I do know the chances of being trampled by horses when using a treadmill in a gym are significantly lower.

The Galway youngster said he often runs the course to get used to the conditions underfoot, although this was the first time he was wearing blinkers. Okay, I made that last bit up.

Daly received a caution from the stewards after the incident and promised to be more vigilant in the future.