Topham faller put down
RARELY does a day go by at this meeting without a horse dying and yesterday was no exception.
We are sad to confirm that it has been necessary to humanely put down Little Josh on welfare grounds, as a result of his fall
Sam Twiston-Davies’ mount in the Topham Chase, Little Josh, smashed a shoulder when falling at the 15th fence and had to be put down.
The track’s veterinary advisor said: “We are sad to confirm that it has been necessary to humanely put down Little Josh on welfare grounds, as a result of his fall.
“He received immediate veterinary attention for his broken shoulder, but the injury was not treatable and it was the necessary course of action.”
The other 28 starters all returned safely.
Aintree spokesman John Baker said: “We’ve made significant improvements in safety, but we also recognise that jump racing carries risk you can never completely remove from the sport.”
The only death on the first day also came over the National fences.
Battlefront suffered a heart attack and died after being pulled up by Katie Walsh in the Fox Hunters’ Chase.