Four horses have suffered fatal injuries in races over Grand National fences this week
Gullinbursti and Minella Reception suffered what proved to be life-ending falls over the Grand National fences in the Crabbie's Topham Chase at Aintree.
Emma Lavelle's Gullinbursti was fatally injured after parting company with Gavin Sheehan at Becher's Brook during the Grade Three handicap, while the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Minella Reception came to grief at the same fence and was later put down as a result of his injuries.
Sad to report that the Emma Lavelle trained Gullinbursti was fatally injured in the Topham at Aintree #RIP pic.twitter.com/UY8nHSDoHx
— Mr. Racing Tips (@MrRacingTips) April 8, 2016
Minella Reception had initially been assessed and treated by veterinary staff on the course and was transported back to the stables for further assessment.
The veterinary team determined Minella Reception's injury was not recoverable and on welfare grounds it was necessary for him to be humanely euthanised.
Minella Reception had to be put down after the Topham Chase
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) April 8, 2016
The deaths are the fourth in a race over the National fences this week, after both Clonbanan Lad and Marasonnien died after collapsing during the Fox Hunters' Chase at the track on Thursday.
John Baker, north west regional director for Aintree's owners Jockey Club racecourses, said: "We'd like to express our sympathies to the connections of Gullinbursti and Minella Reception.
"While you can't remove all risk from any sport, we acted on evidence to make significant changes here at Aintree, including to the cores of every fence on the Grand National Course, and we've seen hundreds of horses compete safely since over the last few years."
Four-times race winner Gullinbursti suffered a fatal injury following a fall in the Crabbie's Topham Chase at Aintree.
The Emma Lavelle-trained 10-year-old was put down after parting company with Gavin Sheehan at Becher's Brook during the Grade Three handicap.
Minella Reception was assessed and treated by veterinary staff on the course following a fall in the same race and was transported back to the stables for further assessment.
Gullinbursti's death is the third in a race over the Grand National fences this week, after both Clonbanan Lad and Marasonnien died after collapsing during the Fox Hunters' Chase at the track on Thursday.
