Hurdle legend Inglis Drever dies

Three-time World Hurdle winner Inglis Drever has died aged 10.

The Howard Johnson-trained former champion, who retired from racing in January, was put down on Friday after suffering a bout of colic.

"They rushed him in for surgery and put him on a drip but his heart rate was over 70 and it should be 33, so they had to put him down," said Johnson.

Inglis Drever made history in 2008 at Cheltenham, becoming the first horse to win the World Hurdle three times.

He won 17 races from 35 starts, including the World Hurdle in 2005 and 2007, and nearly £800,000 in prize-money.

Inglis Drever retired in January after failing to recover from a leg injury he picked up at Newbury in November 2008.

Johnson added: "He's been a fantastic servant to me and the yard and has kept me going.

"He won three World Hurdles and was the first horse to win the Order of Merit. You could always tell when he was right and he was a peach to train.

Inglis Drever had been spending his retirement at owner Graham Wylie's Chesters Stud at Humshaugh, Hexham.

"It's very upsetting," said Johnson. "I've said to Graham Wylie that we'll get him cremated and get him back into what I call the 'Millionaire's Field' in front of our house.