"Will miss him enormously" Ian Williams pays tribute to London Prize

London Prize had finished second in the Cesarewitch and won the Elite Hurdle in recent weeks (PA)

Ian Williams described the death of smart dual-purpose performer London Prize at Cheltenham on Sunday as "devastating".

The six-year-old suffered what was to be a fatal fall when coming to grief at the second-last in the Grade Three Greatwood Hurdle, for which he was sent of the 9-2 favourite eight days after claiming victory in the Grade Two Elite Hurdle at Wincanton.

Earlier in the year the son of Teofilo, who won eight of his 21 starts across both codes, winning just under £200,000 in prize-money, proved he was equally as effective on the level, landing the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle before finishing second in last month's Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

Williams said: "It is very sad for his owner Margaret Forsyth and the team at home. It is devastating, as he was a horse we all loved and that took us to some great spots and did some great things. We will miss him enormously.

"He has been a great servant and we are very proud of him. He is an enormous loss. Every day he turned up to the races he gave it his best. I think the Elite Hurdle win was one of his highlights in what was a burgeoning career."

He added: "We were looking forward to everything that was to come. It is very sad to lose him right when he was at the top of his game."

Four horses lost their lives at the November meeting. Need To Know and Counter Shy were fatally injured on Friday, while Glenmona lost her life in the bumper on Saturday.

London Prize was the only one of the quartet to suffer a fall, although Need To Know hurt himself when landing over a fence in the cross-country chase.

Twelve months ago, the three-day meeting was marred by the death of Simonsig.