Aintree deaths accidental

A Jockey Club report released yesterday into the deaths of three horses at this year's Martell Grand National has concluded that the fatalities were "the result of unfortunate accidents".

The inquiry, compiled by the club's racecourse department, into the deaths of Pashto, Do Rightly and Griffins Bar, who all fell independently of each other at the first, third and fifth fences respectively, found that "there was no single factor or evident combination of factors common to the accidents."

It also came to the conclusion that "no causal link was established between any of the fatalities and the heavy going, the condition of the course, the height of the fences, the speed to the first fence or the number of runners".

However, the enquiry team, after consulting with various interested parties including trainers, jockeys, course officials and animal welfare bodies, made several recommendations in a bid to ensure that the marathon event is made as safe as possible in future.

They include ground improvements and the provision of schooling fences built to the design of a National fence of reduced dimensions at the three major training centres for the use of any trainer who wishes to use them.