Animal welfare campaigners have condemned the death of three horses during the Grand National festival at Aintree. Solwara One, who featured in the 1.45pm race on Friday, was the first fatality before Elle Est Belle suffered a suspected heart attack when finishing fourth in the Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle on Saturday before the main event.
Discorama featured in the Grand National - won by Noble Yeats at a price of 50/1 - but pulled up before the 13th fence due an injury. After the race, all 40 horses that started returned to the stables and underwent assessments by the Aintree veterinary team, but the Mirror reports they found "an untreatable pelvic injury" for the Paul Nolan-trained horse.
Nolan confirmed the news on Twitter, revealing that he was "heartbroken" at the death of the two-time winner. He wrote: "We are heartbroken to have lost Discorama today at Aintree. Bryan [Cooper] pulled him up due to injury. Our condolences to his owners Andrew Gemmell & Tom Friel."
