Battlefront’s fatality casts immediate shadow over Grand National meeting

THE John Smith’s Grand National meeting got off to a tragic start when Battlefront died from a suspected heart attack during the first race over the modified Aintree fences.
Tartan Snow and Mr Jamie Hamilton (centre) recover as they stumble at Bechers BrookTartan Snow and Mr Jamie Hamilton (centre) recover as they stumble at Bechers Brook
Tartan Snow and Mr Jamie Hamilton (centre) recover as they stumble at Bechers Brook

Ted Walsh’s horse had just been pulled up by the trainer’s daughter Katie after The Canal Turn in the Fox Hunters’ Chase when the 11-year-old collapsed to the ground.

The jockey, riding in the amateur riders’ National, was crestfallen as she returned to the unsaddling enclosure.

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She will ride Seabass in tomorrow’s big race when she will attempt to become the first woman to win the most famous steeplechase in the world.

There was no evidence to suggest that yesterday’s fatality was a consequence of the modifications that have seen the wooden stakes in the heart of the fences replaced by a plastic spruce.

Fourteen of the 24 runners completed the course. Five were pulled up, including the ill-fated Battlefront, and the remaining five fell or unseated their rider, with two of the casualties coming at Becher’s Brook.

Aintree immediately tweeted news of Battlefront’s death – a contrast to previous years – and John Baker, regional director of the Jockey Club which owns the track, offered his condolences to the Walsh family.

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“British racing is open that you can never remove all risk from horse racing, as with any sport,” he said. “However, welfare standards are very high and equine fatalities are rare, with 90,000 runners each year with a fatality rate of just 0.2 per cent.”

The race was won by 100-1 outsider Tartan Snow. Ridden by Jamie Hamilton, who was riding at the Merseyside track for the first time, the 13-year-old horse got up on the line to deny Ollie Greenall on Cool Friend by a neck.

One person celebrating was Stephen Hendry, the seven-times world snooker champion, who reportedly won £900 after a £5 each way bet on the winner who hails from Scotland.

The National fences, which did appear to be more forgiving than previous years, will be subject to further scrutiny today when professional riders tackle them in John Smith’s Topham Chase.

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Local hopes rest with Sue Smith’s Gansey, who was denied a famous course win in last December’s Grand Sefton Chase by Little Josh, who heads today’s field for Sam Twiston-Davies.

Meanwhile, Zarkandar’s win in yesterday’s Grade One Aintree Hurdle could be a lucky omen for Ruby Walsh. His crashing fall from the top-class hurdler 12 months ago forced him to miss the National.

He confirmed yesterday that he will partner On His Own, the horse he had intended to ride last year.

Liam Treadwell, who teamed up with Venetia Williams to win the 2009 National on 100-1 outsider Mon Mome, faces an anxious wait to see if Pentiffic makes the 40-runner cut – one horse still needs to be withdrawn ahead of this morning’s final declarations.