Thousands of betting slips hit the floor in unison yesterday as the Galway-owned favourite 'Go Native' failed to make the grade at the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle. The horse, which would have been in line to win a £1 million bonus if it came home first, failed to provide any real threat to the eventual winner 'Binocular', who romped home at nine to one.

'Go Native' rarely looked challenging during the race, sitting at the back of the field and just getting into the race of the top of the turn. However, as he started to catch the leaders, Binocular left the field for dead.

His loss in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle means his local owner also missed out on the £1 million bonus from betting exchange WBX, after winning the first two legs of the hurdling 'Triple Crown' - the 'Fighting Fifth' at Newcastle and the 'Christmas Hurdle' at Kempton - this season.

Speaking after the race, Jockey Paul Carberry put his failure down to Go Native diving slightly at the second fence.

Galway businesswoman Kitty Carr, who co-owns Go Native with five others, told the Galway Independent that the horse picked up an injury on landing after the second hurdle, which affected his run.

"We knew after the second fence he wasn't going to make it. It's unfortunate but those things happen in racing. He is only a seven-year old, so we can have another go. Hopefully, he's OK and that is the main thing," she said.

Galway was abuzz earlier in the day, as Go Native fever hit the city. Patrons gathered in Miss Carr's Hotel and Restaurant, Park House Hotel, to see the race.

Paddy Power from Paddy Power's Bookmakers said there was a lot of money going on Go Native in the Galway area.

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