Ruby Walsh blamed the ground for Master Minded's defeat in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Paul Nicholls-trained twice winner of the race, travelled well just off the pace but founds little in the last half mile and could not keep tabs on Forpadydeplasterer and winner Big Zeb as they kicked for home.
The Colm Murphy trained Bog Zeb powered up the Cheltenham hill with a big jump at the last to steal the show with Master Minded finishing a disappointing fourth.
"He failed to let himself down on the ground," Walsh said.
"It was too quick for him."
Master Minded was attempting to become only the second horse (Badsworth Boy being the other) to win the two-mile championship three times in a row.