Dysart Dynamo received one of the biggest ovations of day one of the Cheltenham Festival after surviving a heavy fall in the second race.
The Willie Mullins-trained runner had attempted to make all the running in the Sporting Life Arkle Trophy.
But he had been caught by eventual winner El Fabiolo and Jonbon by the second last fence and came down at the last as he began to tire.
He hit the deck hard under jockey Danny Mullins and was on the ground for several minutes while green screens went up around him, for privacy, so vets could attend to the seven-year-old gelding.
And when he emerged from behind the screens, led by his tearful groom Janna Walsh he received a huge cheer from the stands.
ITV presenter Ed Chamberlin said: “I’ve got some good news for you. Look at that. Wow, There is Dysart Dynamo.
"As we hoped it was just a tired fall at the end. Look what it means to the groom who looks after the horse.”
Mullins who also trained the winner El Fabiolo later reported that Dysart Dynamo was “just winded”.
"I didn't watch the finish as I was trying to watch our other horses that had fallen but thankfully he is okay as he got back up and walked back to the stable yard so he is fine," said the trainer.
