Curtis pays tribute to Irish Cavalier after he loses long health battle

Rebecca Curtis has reflected on the life of her stable's long-time flagbearer Irish Cavalier, who has died after suffering complications linked to the broken leg he sustained in the summer.

The 2015 Cheltenham Festival winner, who enjoyed his biggest success when beating Menorah, Cue Card and Blaklion in last year's Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, was injured during a race at Newton Abbot in June.

Curtis said: "He recovered from the broken leg but he was so long cross-tied that he may have suffered damaged vertebrae in the neck. One of the vertebrae may have become inflamed and started to touch the spinal cord. He had started falling over and seemed to be suffering from neurological problems."

Rebecca Curtis: he loved his work and gave us some great daysCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos

The eight-year-old, who raced in the colours of Andrew McIver, won eight of the 30 races he contested and also landed a valuable handicap chase at the 2016 Punchestown festival, one month after finishing fifth in Don Cossack's Gold Cup.

Curtis added: "He was a real character. He was a noisy little horse who used to bang his door every morning asking for his food. He loved his work and gave us some great days."

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