Cheltenham Festival horse Hansard has died after suffering a fatal injury during the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase.
ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin soon broke the sad news to viewers after the race, with the Gary and Josh Moore trained horse unfortunately put down in the aftermath.
Chamberlin shared his condolences to the stable, before sharing a statement from Cheltenham Racecourse in what he described as a “sad postscript” to the race.
It read: “While running on the flat in the second race of the day, Hansard sustained a fatal injury. He was quickly dismounted and immediately attended to by a team of expert veterinary professionals.
“In their assessment, it was concluded that the best course of action for the horse’s welfare was for him to be put down and our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”
The second race of the festival saw Kargese triumph to upset favourites Lulamba and Kopek Des Bordes.
The Willie Mullins-trained Kopek Des Bordes and Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba saw Kargese given a perfect front-running ride from Danny Mullins.
The mare was clearly still travelling well turning for home and while both the market leaders tried to challenge, in particular Kopek Des Bordes, she held firm up the hill and kept finding to win by two and a quarter lengths from her fellow Mullins runner, with the jumping of the runner-up and third horse Lulamba leaving a bit to be desired at the business end.
More to follow…
