By Nick Powell, Sports Editor
Cheltenham. That one word conjures up for millions a special week in March, a mixture of sport and noise and comradeship, pints and predictions, dreams realised and crushed.
But there was a different perspective as dawn broke over Cleve Hill in the beautiful Gloucestershire countryside today - Gold Cup Day of all days.
The first thoughts of everyone were for JT McNamara, and all were forced to remember what risks a jump jockey takes, each time he or she dons the silks and goes into partially airborne battle amid tons of horseflesh.
McNamara, an experienced Irish amateur rider, spent the night in a specialist hospital unit after falling from Galaxy Rock in the penultimate race of the festival's third day.
Aged 37, he has "a serious neck injury", according to Dr Adrian McGoldrick, chief medical officer for the Irish Turf Club.
McNamara was put in a medically induced coma before being transferred into an air ambulance as the normal exuberance of the crowd subsided into concern, and dread.
Former England rugby captain Mike Tindall, husband of Zara Phillips and the owner of a Gold Cup hopeful today, tweeted: "Thoughts & best wishes go out to JT McNamara."
"Praying he's OK," added fellow rider Sam Thomas.
Tony McCoy, champion jockey for the past 17 years, spoke of a sombre mood among his colleagues.
"We're a small community," he said, "we stick together."
The riders all know the risks, they have all felt the pain.
"I've broken bones in my ankle, I've broken my tibia and fibula, I've broken my wrists," McCoy has recounted.
"I've fractured a couple of lower vertebras, I've broken both shoulder blades, both my collar bones, my cheekbones and all my teeth are not mine anymore."
This is the day most in racing look forward to more than any other.
This afternoon's Gold Cup will still be a tense sporting occasion, sparking joy and tears - so long as McNamara is okay.
But the crowd will be more aware than usual of what the stars of the show go through to provide their entertainment.
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