Staying loyal to Silver Buck meant I was only fourth of Famous Five

Eyewitness tale

RobertEarnshaw rode the previous year's winner Silver Buck to finish fourth behind Bregawn as part of Michael Dickinson's 'Famous Five' in the Cheltenham Gold Cup of 1983. Now 57, he is now stipendiary steward manager for the BHA team

The story really began for me the previous year when I rode Silver Buck. Although I was riding most of the stable's runners, I wasn't long out of my claim and still doing my three and I looked after Silver Buck.

Robert Earnshaw aboard Silver BuckCredit: Gerry Cranham

I'd been riding him and Bregawn all season in 1982 but I chose Silver Buck and he won – but unsurprisingly I lost the ride on Bregawn in the future. I had no complaints and no regrets about that, but the next year Bregawn was the number one and I could have ridden any one of Silver Buck, Captain John, Wayward Lad or Ashley House. I stuck with my old friend.