IT was with much sadness that we learned of the death following a field accident of the 2013 Cheltenham God Cup winner Bobs Worth who was bred in Co Fermanagh by Lois Eadie out of the King’s Theatre mare Fashionista.

The 2005 gelding was purchased as a foal for €11,000 at Tattersalls Ireland by Rathmore Stud who brought him back to the Co Meath sales ring a year later when he was knocked down for €16,500 to Barry Geraghty, the bay’s partner in all but two of his 11 victories.

In the colours of The Not Afraid Partnership, Bobs Worth ran 22 times out of Nicky Henderson’s Seven Barrows yard.

He won a bumper, five hurdle races and five chases including the 2011 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham), the 2012 RSA Chase (Cheltenham) and the 2013 Lexus Chase (Leopardstown) – all Grade 1 races. On his final start, in the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup, he finished third at 33/1 behind the even-money favourite, Thistlecrack, and the 8/1 shot Alpha Des Orbeaux. Bobs Worth spent his retirement with Charlie and Tracy Vigors, and their sons Harry and Oliver, at the Hillwood Stud near Marlborough where he was very much adored.