Cheltenham Festival 2019: Deja vu as Benie Des Dieux does an Annie Power and falls with the Mares' Hurdle at her mercy
Benie Des Dieux fell at the last with the Grade 1 at her mercy – just as Annie Power had done in 2015.
Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh, owner Rich Ricci and thousands of punters suffered heartbreak when Annie Power fell with the race in safe-keeping four years ago.
And they suffered a terrible bout of deja vu as Benie Des Dieux (10-11f) took a tumble when in total command.
Dan Skelton's Roksana took full advantage to land the spoils at 10-1 under Harry Skelton.
Benie Des Dieux, like Annie Power, emerged unscatched from the incident. Annie Power went on to win the Champion Hurdle the following season.
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A despondent Ricci said: "The good news is she's up and well I just don't know what to say.
"It's been a very difficult couple of weeks but she was going very well.
"She's a very good mare. I'm just so sorry. She's up and going and that's the most important thing."
Skelton accepted his winner was booked for second spot, but he was thrilled to get a big slice of fortune with his tough mare.
Skelton said: "It is magic – we were set for second, and that happens.
"I think our horse would have got a lot of plaudits for finishing second. It is a tough race, and she was bang there at the last."
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