The death of Up For Review during Saturday's Grand National has sparked wide debate over the safety of the race.
Horse racing chiefs have vowed to hold a review after three horses died in total during the three-day festival at Aintree.
Many TV viewers were upset at seeing the horse seemingly thrash about in pain after falling on his neck at the first fence. Screens were swiftly erected around the dead horse as the race continued.
The Independent report the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have insisted the horse felt no pain and died instantly. 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.
It comes after Crucial Role, ridden by Harry Skelton, had to be put down after an accident during the Betway Mildmay Novices on Ladies Day, while Forest Des Aigles was injured later on Friday in the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase and also had to be put down after it broke its leg on the final jump of the chase.
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."
The Grand National was won by Tiger Roll, who made history by winning race for the second year running.
He is the first winner of back-to-back Nationals since Red Rum 45 years ago.
