Death of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Robert Alner

The former Dorset handler had been paralysed since a car crash in 2007.

Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer Robert Alner has died aged 76.

He sent out Cool Dawn to win the 1998 renewal of the Festival feature, with other star names handled by the former Dorset trainer including Gold Cup runner-up Sir Rembrandt, multiple Grade One winner The Listener and Betfair Chase hero Kingscliff.

Alner was seriously injured in a car crash in 2007, an accident which left him paralysed and in need of a wheelchair.

He continued to train under a joint licence with his wife, Sally, until 2010, when the pair announced their retirement.

Son-in-law Robert Walford, a trainer himself, said: “Sadly Robert has passed away.

“Obviously he had the car crash a long time ago, but I don’t think it has been as big a struggle in recent years as perhaps many people think.

“The last week has been difficult, though. He was 76.”

Alner is survived by his wife, his daughters Louise and Jennifer, and four grandchildren.

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Cheltenham Gold Cup Cool Dawn Robert Alner

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