Gold Dancer put down after winning at Aintree

Gold Dancer had to be put down after suffering a broken back when winning the Mildmay Novices' Chase on day two of the Grand National Meeting at Aintree.

The horse dragged his back legs through the final fence when leading Regent's Stroll and was ridden out to win by four lengths under Paul Townend for trainer Willie Mullins.

Gold Dancer was immediately pulled up after crossing the finish line, with Townend dismounting and screens erected for veterinary experts to assess and treat the horse but the seven-year-old was put down.

Owners Gigginstown said: "He's been put down. He broke his back. It's terribly sad for the horse.

"What could Paul Townend do? He felt fine, it was just when he pulled up that something was wrong."

Emma Slawinski, chief executive at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: "Year after year we see horses dying at Aintree for people's entertainment and a cheap bet. Sadly, Gold Dancer is the latest victim of this heartless spectacle, which flies in the face of animal welfare.

"The public and businesses should boycott the Aintree Festival, refuse to bet on the racing, and stop watching the ITV coverage and advertising which glosses over the animal cruelty.

"The government needs to act as the British Horseracing Authority and Jockey Club is prioritising gambling profits over the lives of the horses."

James Given, director of equine health and welfare for the British Horseracing Authority, said: "The horse jumped and slipped and lost his back end.

"He came up very quickly and took one half stride to get organised and galloped away.

"I was in the inquiry and gave evidence that looked into the incident - I was able to watch front on and behind - and the horse stayed as straight as an arrow and wasn't deviating off a straight line or being asymmetric, the back legs were following the front legs exactly.

"It was only when they went past the finishing line that he turned around to the left as the track goes and went from cantering to a trot and the action changed and Paul [Townend] became aware.

"He immediately jumped off and was attended by the vets. I don't believe Paul was able to notice that injury at all.

"He would have felt nothing but normal to him and it was only from the action from a canter to a trot he became aware and acted exactly as he should have done."

Two horses, Willy De Houelle and Celebre D'Allen, died at last year's Aintree Festival.

In the feature race of day two, Harry Skelton rode 5-1 shot Grey Dawning to victory in the Melling Chase for his older brother Dan.

After his win in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival, Heart Wood was the 6-5 favourite, but could only manage third place at Aintree.

With last year's winner Jonbon not running, the field was open and jockey Skelton said aggressive riding "definitely helped" Grey Dawning hold off second-placed Solness by a neck.

He added: "This win will mean an awful lot to his owner, Robert Kirkland, because his wife very sadly passed away, and I'll dedicate this race to her.

"She was a tremendous lady and Robert has been a reliable supporter of Dan and I since we started out and it's lovely to repay him with a good winner.

"Hopefully this will just lift his spirits a little bit and help him through a tough period of his life."

Dan Skelton added: "He was really brave today. He needed to be and he was."

Will The Wise claimed victory in the Topham Chase over the Grand National fences.

The seven-year-old gradually worked his way through the 27-runner field to challenge the leader and 7-2 favourite Madara.

Jockey Conor Stone-Walsh steered the 9-1 shot into third before making a move over the final fence to provide trainer Gavin Cromwell with his first success of the day.

Cheltenham Festival winner Madara finished third, with Mullins' Ile Atlantique in second.

Jonjo O'Neill Jr rode 6-1 shot Wellington Arch to victory in the Handicap Hurdle to start day two at Aintree, but he was chased right to the line by Ike Sport (14-1).

In the Top Novices' Hurdle, Storming George (16-1) took first place for trainer Neil King, finishing almost three lengths clear of Sinnatra.

JJ Selvin guided Zeus Power to victory in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle in front of 33-1 shot Catchintsavo, with favourite Johnny's Jury third.

In the final race of the day, Laafi pipped Melon by a neck for trainer William Durkan in the Handicap Hurdle.