OWNER GRAHAM Wylie paid a heartfelt tribute to Inglis Drever after the three-time World Hurdle hero died yesterday morning.

The Howard Johnson-trained 10-year-old, who retired from racing in January, had to be put down after suffering a fatal bout of colic.

“It is very difficult to pick out one day, but I suppose my greatest memory is of him winning his third World Hurdle as that day he was making history,” said Wylie.

“He was the first horse that ever went to Cheltenham to run for me, he was the first horse that won at Aintree for me and has just been a fantastic horse to be involved with.

“He was a difficult horse to run against as he could be up at the front or at the back of the field and he just had that turn of foot that nobody could live with.

“Without a doubt he’d be number one when it comes to horses I’ve trained,” said Johnson.

Inglis Drever began his career on the Flat for Mark Prescott, for whom he won four races. Although the star hurdler will be best remembered for his exploits at Cheltenham, he also won the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury three times (2005-07), in addition to big-race triumphs at Sandown, Warwick, Wincanton, Haydock and Wetherby.