@calamkirst@TheRacingVet_ This is correct. PT may not have known and likely didn’t, but I’ve seen horses make similar mistakes and be pulled up instantly. I love this sport and will always defend it but this has made me feel uneasy.
@AKBets That said, I have absolutely seen horses make mistakes at the last in front and be pulled up. But it would be pure speculation and highly unlikely to suggest he knew and decided not to.
@AKBets It’s absolutely plausible that Townend didn’t know, but the interviews with the vet on ITV and RTV suggest it didn’t happen after the jump, when anybody with eyes could see the horse wasn’t right
"It was only when they'd gone past the winning line... That's when the action changed. It was only at that point that Paul [Townend] became aware."
James Given, Director of Equine Health and Welfare at the BHA, speaks with Rishi Persad about Gold Dancer.
The Coral Gold Cup takes place at Newbury tomorrow. Every year around this time, the memories of Denman's performance in the 2009 renewal come flooding back. Returning from a disappointing season, running off a rating of 174 under 11-12 and he delivers this. Awe inspiring.