‘Absolute heartbreak’ at Chester as winner of big race Hidden Law breaks down yards after post
THERE was ‘absolute heartbreak’ at Chester as Hidden Law – the winner of the big race on the day – sadly broke down just yards after the post.
The Charlie Appleby-trained runner had just surged over the line in the Group 3 Boodles Chester Vase – a key trial for the Epsom Derby.
But he looked to suffer a potentially life-ending injury when being pulled up by William Buick.
Commentator Richard Hoiles said: “From poetry in motion to absolute heartbreak.
“Oh that’s absolutely horrible, that’s absolutely heartbreaking for all concerned.
“Hidden Law has broken down badly after the running line and it is a bad injury as well.
“William Buick holding the horse, who is quickly attended… and that is a quite horrible postscript to the Chester Vase.
“Hidden Law is the winner of the Chester Vase but that is an awful incident just after the line and there is nothing much more you can say.
“A horrible end to the day – the horse is being attended to but it looks very serious indeed.”
While ITV host Leonna Mayor added: “It’s awful. So sad.”
Hidden Law had been sent off 9-4 for the team behind last weekend’s 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech.
And it looked like they had their latest superstar on the their hands as the three-year-old colt flew home on the Roodee.
But the cameras had to cut away quickly as the extent of the horse’s injury to his leg became clear.
The trophy presentation was rightly cancelled as the packed stands and enclosures were left in silence.
ITV co-host Francesca Cumani said she heard a stunned Appleby say after seeing the horse go down: “He’ll get up won’t he?”
While her fellow presenter Ed Chamberlin added: “It absolutely broke your heart. To go from the elation of winning this and the 2000 Guineas, it’s heartbreaking.”
More to follow.