'He was a star' - Henderson and Fitzgerald pay tribute to crack two-miler Isio

Nicky Henderson has paid tribute following the death of Isio, who beat Azertyuiop in the 2004 Victor Chandler Chase in a race labelled by the trainer as "one of the best chases of all time".

Isio died at the weekend aged 23 and Henderson has fond memories of a horse who won eight of his 14 starts in Britain and was unplaced just once over obstacles.

Henderson said: "He was a real character, he wasn't very big but he was very tough. We had some tremendous days with him and I think that day at Ascot, when he beat Azertyuiop, was one of the best chases of all time. It was a fantastic race and he was one of the nicest people you could come across."

Owned by Sir Peter and Lady Gibbings, Isio finished runner-up to the imperious Moscow Flyer in the 2004 Melling Chase on his final start having already collected the Vodafone Gold Cup – better known as the Greatwood Gold Cup – at Newbury on his previous outing.

Isio and Mick Fitzgerald after winning the Victor Chandler Chase

Henderson added: "He had a very good, happy retirement and Sir Peter adored him. We had a fantastic time with him and he was a star."

Mick Fitzgerald, who rode Isio on ten occasions, was on board for the thrilling Ascot win when his mount made the most of getting 19lb from Azertyuiop, who went on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham later that season.

He said: "It's awful news. I loved that horse and his owners are just the most lovely people. This horse was a real trier, we won a few nice races with him, in particular the Victor Chandler, where we beat the mighty Azertyuiop and Ruby Walsh."

On Isio's efforts in what was a golden period for two-mile chasers, the Grand National-winning rider added: "He was in the right era as he was among some really great horses. The frustrating thing is that we were second to Moscow Flyer at Aintree and if he hadn't unseated Barry [Geraghty] in the Champion Chase he probably wouldn't have gone to Aintree."

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