Cheltenham Festival 2023: All you need to know
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Cheltenham Festival has seen its first death of the year as Malinello passed away after suffering a horror fall in the 5.30 race. The race was won by favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil but the National Hunt Novices’ Chase will be remembered as the last that Malinello ran.
The Jockey Club have confirmed the distressing news, while a racecourse spokesperson said: “Sadly Malinello sustained an injury in the final race of the day. He was attended to by the experienced on-course veterinary team and assessed immediately, but very sadly passed away. Our thoughts are with all his connections.”
Only four of the ten horses finished the face as Bellatrixsa and Mahler Mission were also fallers, though those two are not thought to have sustained serious injuries.
The eight-year-old, trained by Ben Pauling and rode by jockey Gina Andrews, was behind the leading pack but fell over the 16th fence as he suffered a fatal injury.
The RSPCA have written a statement regarding Malinello’s passing. “We’re very distressed to hear of the death of Malinello at the Cheltenham Festival today,” the statement read.
“We believe that racehorses should have a good life on and off the track, and should never be exposed to unacceptable risk of injury or death. We will be discussing this incident with the BHA.”
Chemical Energy finished second behind Gaillard Du Mesnil while Mister Coffey was third in a thrilling race that in the longest race of the day, Chemical Energy led by three lengths after clearing the final hurdle but Gaillard Du Mesnil, ridden by Patrick Mullins, stormed back to claim the victory.
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