No More Heroes was reported to be stable in an equine hospital at Cheltenham after suffering a career-ending injury in the RSA Chase.
The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old had created a big impression in his two previous starts over fences and was the second favourite to make it a hat-trick of wins in the three-mile showpiece.
However, it soon emerged after he had faded into fourth that all was not well as Bryan Cooper dismounted.
A veterinary officer reported the Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding had struck into himself on his left fore.
Speaking after the concluding race of the afternoon, Gigginstown manager Eddie O'Leary said: "No More Heroes has suffered a career-ending injury.
"He's severed a tendon, we're not sure when it happened but possibly at the third-last (fence).
"He's with the vets now and he's stable.
"He won't run again, unfortunately, but we'll do our best to save him."
Also in the RSA, trainer Jonjo O'Neill said the 6-4 favourite More Of That, who was third, had bled from the nose.
Blaklion wins the RSA Chase. #TheFestival https://t.co/nj4i7NP9hN
— CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) March 16, 2016
British Horseracing Authority spokesman Robin Mounsey said he was not aware of any other injuries suffered on the second day of the Festival.
Three horses - The Govaness, Pont Alexandre and Rezorbi - lost their lives on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.
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