Horse dies in the second race of the Cheltenham Festival

Hansard sustained a fatal injury during the second race of the Cheltenham Festvial (Picture: Getty)

Tragedy struck during the just second race of the Cheltenham Festival after the death of Hansard was confirmed by the Jockey Club.

A statement read: ‘While running on the flat Hansard sustained a fatal injury, he was dismounted and attended by a team of professionals.’

ITV presenter Ed Chamberlain added: ‘There has been a sad postscript in the Arkle, while running on the flat, Hansard suffered a fatal injury.

‘He was immediately dismounted, and it was decided that the best course of action was for him to be put down.’

The Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase saw a surprise winner in the shape of Kargese.

Sent off a 7-1 shot with all eyes on her Willie Mullins-trained stablemate Kopek Des Bordes and Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba, Kargese was given a perfect front-running ride from Danny Mullins.

The mare was clearly still travelling well turning for home and while both the market leaders tried to challenge, in particular Kopek Des Bordes, she held firm up the hill and kept finding to win by two and a quarter lengths from her fellow Mullins runner, with the jumping of the runner-up and third horse Lulamba leaving a bit to be desired at the business end.

‘Very exciting,’ said Kargese’s owner, Kenny Alexander, in the immediate aftermath of an eye-catching win. ‘I have been lucky to win a few here, but that is right up here.

‘She is a proper, proper horse. She got the job done and she won fair and square. She is very, very good. She is top notch.

‘She is definitely second best now by a country mile [behind Honeysuckle].’

Trainer Willie Mullins added: ‘She had far more experience. I thought Kopek raced a great race.

‘Just the mistake at the last [from Kopek] – I think he would have won. Well done to Danny and Kenny Alexander for the win.

‘Excellent for Danny [Mullins]. We all need Cheltenham winners. Fabulous to get a winner.’

More to follow

Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source