It's a shame that he died in such circumstances..
on a brighter note about older horses running read below::
ENDA BOLGER saddled three runners in his attempt to win the La Touche Cup for an incredible tenth consecutive time and, to the joy of the Punchestown crowd, it was stable stalwart Spot The difference who made sure his monopoly continued.
The 29 fences and 4m2f of this contest take a fair bit of getting, but the 14-year-old Spot The difference knows every inch of them and the reception he received after the race was the biggest of the week so far.
Taking over the lead coming away from 'Rubys Double' for the final time under John Thomas McNamara, he knuckled down well to defeat staying-on stable companion Freneys Wells, under Nina Carberry, by four and a half lengths, with the gallant Star Performance in third.
"He's just a brilliant horse and this is all down to Spot," said Bolger - who later received a presentation from the course's executive for his achievement.
"You can only be hopeful beforehand, as it's a novelty race where anything can happen. Stamina is his thing and he had a good man on his back today."
Owner JP McManus will leave plans for Spot The difference - who was winning the race for a second time - to his trainer. He said: "Enda can decide that, as he knows best what to do. I've had this horse since he was five and have been very lucky to have him."
Bolger intends keeping him in training for next season. He said: "Sonny Somers was 18, so I don't see any reason to stop now, as long as he loves people and racing. We'll have a look over the summer. He's 14 but he enjoys life, loves being in training and loves human beings - except the vet."
Comparing this win to the many big-race successes he has experienced over the years, McManus added: "They're all special, but when you win with a 14-year-old giving a stone to the younger brigade, and when he had to dig very deep, this is a very special day. I suppose the purists would find it hard to believe, but I'm as happy to win the La Touche as any race at the festival."
For McNamara, this was a fourth La Touche success, having won it before on Bolger's Risk Of Thunder five years ago and Good Step in 2005. He also teamed up with 'Spot' when scoring in 2004, and he admitted he was a bit concerned when stable companion Moyglass, under Conor O'Dwyer, set a decent clip up front.
He said: "They went very fast early on, and this ground is a bit quick for him, but, as we all know, Spot comes home.
"He seems to know when he's getting near the winning pole but he's getting better with age, like a good wine."
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