Gold Dancer was euthanised after breaking his back in a winning performance at Aintree, leaving connections to describe the victory as 'hollow'. The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old, ridden by Paul Townend, won the William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase but suffered a fatal injury after crossing the line.
The 100-30 joint-favourite engaged in a thrilling duel with Regent's Stroll, ultimately winning by four and three-quarter lengths. However, upon pulling up, it became clear the horse had sustained a serious injury. Eddie O'Leary of Gigginstown House Stud confirmed: 'Unfortunately he broke his back and they put him down.'
Townend reported feeling nothing amiss during the race, despite a mistake at the last fence. Mullins defended his jockey's decision not to pull up, stating: 'Unless they feel the horse's action is really wrong he's not going to stop... He didn't feel anything was wrong until after the line.'
The stewards held an inquiry into the riding of the winner but took no action. Regent's Stroll finished second, with trainer Paul Nicholls praising his run and looking ahead to next season. Salver, the other joint-favourite, came third.
