'He was a trainer's dream' - Nicky Henderson leads the tributes to Top Notch

Nicky Henderson has described Top Notch as a horse of unrivalled popularity within his Seven Barrows team after the Grade 1 winner's death at the age of ten.

Successful in 14 of his 31 races in Britain, including once at the highest level in the 2017 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown, Top Notch might have been small in stature but he more than made up for it in heart.

A regular at the major meetings, he competed at the Cheltenham Festival on five occasions, faring best with seconds in the 2015 Triumph Hurdle and 2017 JLT Novices' Chase.

Top Notch, who was owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, had been on his summer break when he suffered complications from a stomach issue.

Top Notch's career stats

Henderson said on Monday: "It's really awful and it has hit everybody. If you had a poll at Seven Barrows, he'd come out the most popular horse by some way.

"He was on holiday and wasn't retired as he just loved it. He never missed a day's work and went to every dance there was.

"He was one of those horses you don't find very often – he was sound, willing and able. He would do anything for you.

"He got his Grade 1 at Sandown and the Peterborough Chase – a race he won twice – was made for him. He wasn't quite a Grade 1 chaser or a great work horse, but he was Mr Consistency in every way and a trainer's dream. He loved life and all he wanted to do was please."

Daryl Jacob casts an admiring glance at Scilly Isles winner Top Notch, while joint-owner Simon Munir (second from the right) does the sameCredit: Mark Cranham

Top Notch won both his starts in France for Guillaume Macaire before moving to Henderson, for whom he made a winning debut in a juvenile hurdle at Newbury in December 2014.

He went to the Cheltenham Festival for the first time unbeaten in three starts but was beaten a neck by stablemate Peace And Co, also owned by Munir and Souede, in the Triumph.

Despite concerns about his suitability for fences, Top Notch proved a potent force by winning nine of 18 chase starts, which also included victories in the Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot and Oaksey Chase at Sandown.

He amassed a total of £479,890 in prize-money with ten of his wins coming for the owners' retained rider Daryl Jacob, who often described Top Notch as his favourite horse.

Henderson said: "He came to me as a three-year-old from France and I was told to get the most out of him as a juvenile as he won't go on as he was never very big. It turned out to be completely the opposite, as he improved and improved.

"You just don't find them like that. The poor fella had to put up with me for seven years.

"I feel desperate for everyone, Simon and Isaac and Daryl's heartbroken, but most importantly Sarah Shreeve who rode him every day and absolutely adored him. Sadly, her two horses were Top Notch and L'Ami Serge, who sadly died at Ascot earlier this year."

Top Notch finished third in the Paddy Power Plate at 50-1 behind The Shunter at last season's festival before being pulled up at Aintree on what proved to be his final start.

Munir paid his own tribute, writing on Twitter on Sunday night: "It is with great sadness that we lost our double green stalwart and hero Top Notch today. He ruptured his stomach and surgery failed. He was the sweetest, kindest horse with the biggest heart – since 2014 he won 14 races and participated in five Chelt Festivals. So many memories. RIP Notchy."

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