Fence review after fatal falls at Cheltenham

Willyandwoody was a tired and beaten fifth when he came down, pinning jockey Ruby Walsh beneath his prostrate body, his back broken by the fall. Miraculously, Walsh escaped with only a dislocated shoulder which is likely to sideline him for five weeks.

Over and out: Papini (near side) and Tramantano fall yesterday

Granit Jack appeared to jump the second-last fence perfectly, took one step and then fell, depositing jockey Liam Heard on the turf. He was unhurt but Granit Jack died instantly, his neck broken. The fatality robs the sport of a gelding with a huge future. Granit Jack had been backed by both trainer Paul Nicholls and owner John Hales at 40-1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Cheltenham's clerk of the course Simon Claisse will review the falls this week with former jockey Richard Linley, who is the BHA's senior course inspector.

Neither man wants a repeat of the 2006 National Hunt Festival when a total of 10 horses paid with their lives. As the result of an in-depth report into those deaths, one fence, the fourth last on the New Course, was resited.

Claisse said: 'The second last has been in that position for some years now. What we do is to review the faller rates at each fence at the end of every year. Latalomne fell at the same fence two years running in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and this resulted in a review of that obstacle.

"Ninety nine times out of a 100, a horse like Granit Jack would slip as he did and get away with it. It was just bad luck but we will leave no stone unturned to make sure it is as safe as it can be. People think it is a notorious fence but the fact is that it isn't."

However, the number of fallers over the last five years would suggest otherwise. Yesterday two horses, Papini and Tramantano, fell at the second-last, happily without incurring any injuries. It highlights the perilous nature of the fence which has claimed almost three times as many fallers as any other obstacle and caused seven of the eight chase falls at the Paddy Power Gold Cup over the last five seasons.

Jockey Mick Fitzgerald explained: "It is a crucial time of the race — make or break time — when you are gathering your horse for his final effort. When you walk the course, it is downhill towards the fence but the last three strides are uphill and inviting. There is no doubt it is a tricky fence but Cheltenham is, and should be, the ultimate test.

"It is always a critical stage of the race. The acid test is that you don't get fallers there first time round — it is only when you are accelerating for your final charge."

Meanwhile, with Walsh injured, Nicholls needs a jockey for Kauto Star in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on Saturday. Owner Clive Smith is keen on Fitzgerald, who won the 2005 Tingle Creek Chase on the seven-year-old, but will bow to the wishes of his trainer, who said: 'Sam Thomas is our stable jockey and he has schooled Kauto Star regularly, even though Mick rode the horse in the Tingle Creek."

THE PERILS OF THE SECOND-LAST

In the past five years, it has claimed almost three times as many fallers as any other fence on Cheltenham's Old Course, a total of 32. In the Paddy Power Gold Cup during that period, seven of the eight fallers came to grief there.

The main reason for falls is that riders go a stride faster and attack the fence, hoping to gain lengths as they round the home turn in preparation for the climb to the finish. 'It's make or break time,' says jockey Mick Fitzgerald.

Although branded as 'notorious' and as 'one of the toughest fences in jump racing' over the weekend in the wake of Granit Jack's fatal fall, it is standard size at 4ft 6in high with a base width of six feet.

Despite being on the downhill section of the course, the final three strides leading up to the fence are actually uphill and inviting to horses. The landing area was made level with the take-off side after the 2006 Cheltenham Festival.

KINGSGATE NATIVE, winner of the Nunthorpe Stakes, has been sold as a stallion to the Cheveley Park Stud, Racemail understands. However, he will continue to race in the colours of owner John Mayne for the 2008 Flat season.

Voy caught out by weight concession

Champion chaser Voy Por Ustedes jumped brilliantly round Cheltenham yesterday but found the concession of 26lb to Kalca Mome a neck too far in the paddypower.com Handicap Chase.

The six-year-old built up a substantial lead entering the straight but Cheltenham's unforgiving hill found him out in the shadow of the winning post.

Trainer Alan King said: "As they went to the last I said: "s***, he'll be mugged." But I am very happy with the horse. There are two races which matter, the Tingle Creek Chase on December 8 and the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March.

"He has come out of the race with a lot of credit." Voy Por Ustedes is a best priced 4-1 for the Champion Chase (Hills/Coral).