Sam Waley-Cohen finished third on Long Run at the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The 2011 winner failed to repeat his heroics despite leading for most of Friday's race.
He was overtaken by Bobs Worth and Sir Des Champs in the run-in, with the Bobs Worth giving trainer Nicky Henderson his second Gold Cup success in three years.
Amateur jockey Waley-Cohen said: "Long Run ran a cracker. He made one or two mistakes for a lack of concentration. I think he was looking at the camera car in front.