Hadrian's Approach becomes third Cheltenham horse fatality after heavy fall in Kim Muir
HADRIAN'S APPROACH was treated by vets behind green screens after suffering a heavy fall during the final race of the third day of Cheltenham Festival.
Hadrian's Approach had to be destroyed after a heavy fall during the Kim Muir Challenge Cup
The remaining pack in the race were waved around the horse where Hadrian's Approach fell after large, green shields were put up around the stricken horse.
He appeared to have suffered a serious leg injury when he went down on the first circuit of the three-mile, two-furlong race.
No not Hadrian's Approach. ������������
— Robyn (@robynfrommars) March 16, 2017
And it was confirmed less than half an hour later that vets had been forced to put the horse down because of a broken leg.
The news came just minutes after racing authorities had confirmed the death of Toe The Line which also broke a leg during the previous race.
Domesday Book won the race but it was marred by the death of Hadrian's Approach
Hadrian's Approach is the second Nicky Henderson-trained ride to lose its life this week after Consul De Thaix had to be destroyed yesterday.
Cheltenham have a massive number of staff on hand to deal with horse injuries with at least 24 vets, nurses and equine welfare integrity officers on the course at any one time.
And the racing authorities have moved two of the fences for 2017 in an effort to reduce the severity of potential falls.