A downbeat Tony McCoy admitted on Thursday that the Cheltenham Festival represented his worst-ever week as a jockey.

McCoy was not referring to his lack of success at the Festival, however, but to the death of his mount Valiramix after Tuesday's Champion Hurdle.

McCoy, who was second favourite for the race, saw his grey gelding suffer a serious leg injury after clipping heels with Ansar and falling.

Valiramix was taken off the track by horse ambulance and sedated but eventually had to be put down.

Speaking after his victory aboard Royal Auclair in the Cathcart Challenge Cup Chase on Thursday - the penultimate race of the festival - McCoy said he took no joy from finally getting a win.

"It's not a relief - it's just one of those things," he said.

"It's not going to bring Valiramix back and it's not going to make it a better meeting.

"I suppose after what happened to Valiramix, you could say this is my most difficult week in racing."