Five big-race errors at Cheltenham's second-last fence

It was announced on Monday that Cheltenham's Old course will be set up slightly difference come the festival in March, with the troublesome second-last fence on the move again following changes to it in 2010 and 2016. We take a look at some of the race-defining incidents which have made the penultimate fence so notorious in the last decade.

Al Boum Photo
RSA Novices' Chase, 2018

Al Boum Photo was in third and still travelling well enough in last season's RSA Chase under Ruby Walsh when the pair came to grief at the second-last, with Walsh fracturing his leg in the fall. Given how much this year's Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy found up the hill it is hard to suggest Al Boum Photo would have won, but the then six-year-old was set for a massive run regardless. Hopefully we will get a rematch between the pair this March.

God's Own
Queen Mother Champion Chase, 2017

Everyone remembers the 2017 Champion Chase for Douvan's unexpected flop having sustained an injury mid-race. With the favourite unable to mount a challenge, it resulted in a thrilling battle after the last between winner Special Tiara and Fox Norton.

God's Own (second left) blew his chances of Champion Chase glory with a big mistake at the second-lastCredit: Edward Whitaker

What some people forget is God's Own, a three-time Grade 1 winner, was bang in contention approaching two out having already recovered from a catastrophic error four fences from home.

The error at the penultimate fence, where God's Own essentially walked through the top half of the obstacle, proved to be one mistake too many and he faded into fifth.

Charbel
Racing Post Arkle, 2017

David Bass had got a fine tune out of the smart Kim Bailey-trained chaser and the pair were still narrowly leading Altior approaching the second-last.

However, his gallant effort cruelly ended two out when falling, although it is worth noting Nico de Boinville had yet to get overly serious with the Nicky Henderson-trained superstar.

Charbel failed to fire the following season, perhaps taking a while to get over his Cheltenham fall, but he has bounced right back in the current campaign, winning a handicap chase at Chepstow before recording his biggest success in the Grade 2 Peterborough at Huntingdon.

Rival D'Estruval
National Hunt Chase, 2013

It's been a struggle for northern trainers to score at the Cheltenham Festival in recent years, so spare a thought for Pauline Robson, who remains without a single winner at the Gloucestershire course.

It could have been different in 2013, with her Rival D'Estruval bang in contention in the National Hunt Chase only to fall two out.

Rival D'Estruval (right) was going well in the 2013 National Hunt Chase, but dreams were dashed two outCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The eight-year-old had been given a masterfully patient ride by top amateur Derek O'Connor up to that point having nipped up the inside turning into the straight to lead, but he could not get the landing gear out in time, crushing connections' dreams.

Easter Meteor
Paddy Power Gold Cup, 2013

The Emma Lavelle-trained seven-year-old looked set to go close in the feature handicap of the November meeting, the Paddy Power Gold Cup. He was staying on powerfully into the lead under a well-executed Leighton Aspell ride, but he got in tight to the second-last and fell, hampering Colour Squadron significantly, who still rallied to finish a never-nearer second to Johns Spirit.

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