'Our dreams are shattered' - Pipe devastated over loss of star chaser Warthog

David Pipe's Saturday featured emotions at opposing ends of the spectrum as the elation of Grade 2 success with Ramses De Teillee at Doncaster was marred by the sad death of Caspian Caviar Gold Cup winner Warthog, who suffered a fatal injury at Cheltenham.

Pipe's day at the races epitomised the highs and lows of racing, with the significant high of Ramses De Teillee's Albert Bartlett River Don win diminished by tragedy at Cheltenham in the Grade 3 handicap chase.

Warthog, who was quickly pulled up by David Noonan after jumping the first fence at Cheltenham, was discovered to have sustained a fracture and subsequently had to be put down.

On Sunday the Pond House trainer explained his sadness at losing a horse who was just starting to come into his own as a chaser.

He said: "We had him for a while and he was a massive old-fashioned steeplechaser who was just starting to fulfil his potential.

Warthog (front): was 'starting to fulfil his potential'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He ran very well first time out at Cheltenham this season and he hadn't been the most consistent in the past, but he backed it up with a battling and courageous win in Caspian Caviar.

"It was David Noonan's biggest win that day, and then five weeks later unfortunately the dreams are shattered."

The yard also lost Eur Gone West at Huntingdon on Friday and he described their horses as all being part of the family, with everyone in the yard affected by the devastation of their tragedies.

Pipe said: "Rosie Clarke looked after him and because they're an extended part of the family it affects everyone in the yard. Within half an hour you go from the joys of victory to devastation from the loss of a horse, there's no middle line in racing, there's lots of highs and lots of lows."

Warthog's highest-profile run was the fantastic win in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and Pipe gave credit to the grey's remarkable jumping, with his victorious first chase appearance at Sandown also living long in the memory.

Pipe said: "David Noonan had a good relationship with the horse, he seemed to jump for David and when he was on song he was a pleasure to watch.

Warthog and David Noonan after their Caspian Caviar Gold Cup successCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He was a front-runner and a great jumper, probably the most spectacular round of jumping he put in was first time out over fences at Sandown. I would never really take a horse to Sandown first time out but he was so good and put in a great performance that day."

The eight-year-old's popularity was illustrated on social media with the grey receiving a significant number of tributes, including from Tom Scudamore, who rode Ramses De Teillee to victory on Saturday.

Pipe was earlier revelling in Ramses De Teillee's 17-length victory at Doncaster and he has likely done enough to earn himself an entry in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The Randox Health Grand National remains the main target for the eight-year-old.

Pipe said: "It was a great run, he handled conditions and battled very well in what was a decent race.

"I expect he'll have an entry in the Albert Bartlett, on that performance he deserves to. The owners were out here Sunday morning but we haven't had a chance to have a chat yet."

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with Raceday Live - our up-to-the-minute service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app