The young horse overjumped the last obstacle and his neck snapped on impact with the ground.I'm Supposin paid for his effort to go with the winner and faded into third. Two hundred yards later, however, his effort and his life were over. Dato Star had dropped away and I'm Supposin suddenly did not look so convincing as Shadow Leader began to emerge as a more authoritative challenger. Lady Daisy darted into the lead, but the emerald green and gold hoops of Istabraq were soon in her slipstream.I'm Supposin also brought his noble frame to the forefront and the congregation of the fancied horses was completed when Dato Star pulled his way into the vanguard.Three flights from home, Swan decided that it was time to stretch and the effect was immediate. He had no distinguishing jockey on his back, no attendants at his flanks, as connections fought to counteract the brittle mentality which had him in a muck sweat at this meeting 12 months ago It worked. By the time Swan completed the partnership, the only signs of equine anxiety were dark patches of glistening sweat on Istabraq's neck.
By his panicky standards, however, the hide was arid.Elsewhere, Lady Daisy looked ashamedly small, I'm Supposin was tall and aristocratic, while Shadow Leader bore a dark and serious face we were to witness for the last time.Istabraq won the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle 12 months ago with a long run from the rear, but it soon became clear that there was to be a different modus operandi this day. Istabraq not only landed an avalanche of bets, he also swept away the finest hurdlers around with his 12-length success, the most impressive winning margin in the race's history.On a dull, still day, Istabraq was a difficult, small figure to locate in the parade ring. To win is a great bonus."As the hats were sent spinning skywards and the congratulations tumbled down on to the winning connections in the bowl of the winners' amphitheatre, it was a poignant thought that much of the cheering was for a man who was not even there.If Durkan could have chosen a racing memorial it would have been this one. Leukaemia then cruelly chose the young trainer and in January, at the age of 31, his fight finally came to an end."Today was very special for me and my family, John Durkan and Charlie," McManus said.
"I wouldn't be fortunate enough to have Istabraq if it was not for John. At times like this, thinking about him makes us realise how fortunate we were to come to Cheltenham at all. The punting, training and riding triumvirate of J P McManus, Aidan O'Brien and Charlie Swan is without comparison. So, too, was the value of this victory to them as it represented a commemoration of the life of John Durkan. It was Durkan who first chose Istabraq as a possible jumping champion for McManus.
