The death of Up For Review during Saturday's Grand National has prompted further controversy after the British Horseracing Authority insisted the horse died instantly.
Three horses died in total during the three-day festival at Aintree, with many TV views upset at seeing Up For Review appear to thrash about in pain after falling on his neck at the first fence.
Horse Racing chiefs have vowed to hold a review as a result, with the Independent reporting the BHA insist the horse felt no pain after falling.
A spokesman told the newspaper the 'thrashing', seen by millions of ITV viewers, was "probably convulsions after death". A post-mortem examination will establish the cause of death.
But Dene Stansall, racing consultant for Animal Aid, said: “Up For Review’s death wouldn’t have been instant – it would have taken a few seconds, maybe up to two minutes. The initial pain would have been great.
“You can’t say categorically the spinal column would have broken cleanly. The heart could still be beating and legs twitching after the neck has snapped," he told the Independent.
A BHA spokesman added: “ Aintree racecourse and the BHA worked together in the run-up to this year’s meeting to ensure preparations to keep the event safe were the best ever.
“However, there’s a level of risk involved in any activity in which horses take part. We work hard as a sport to keep those risks to a minimum and remove avoidable risk. We will take a measured, evidence-based approach to assessing the incidents, which will include reviewing video footage of all incidents and working with jockeys and trainers.”
The RSPCA added: "We're deeply saddened and concerned to see the deaths of three horses, Forest Des Aigles, Crucial Role and Up for Review, at Aintree this year. The death of any horse is always one too many and it’s crucial steps are urgently taken to reduce the risk of these tragedies."
