Desert Orchid Doesn’t Live Up to Hype

Desert Orchid, the 11-year-old gray regarded as Britain’s most popular thoroughbred, ran out of stamina today in the most-hyped race of his career and finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Norton’s Coin, a 100-1 long shot, won the steeplechase, the longest-priced winner in the 66-year history of the event, second only to the Grand National in prestige.

Toby Tobias, an 8-1 shot, was second, three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Desert Orchid and jockey Richard Dunwoody were four lengths farther back. Nine other horses started.

Off at 10-11 odds, Desert Orchid was the hottest Gold Cup favorite in 15 years as he attempted to become only the sixth horse to win the 3 1/4-mile race twice.