Grand National urged to increase safety measures after four horses die at Aintree

The death of four horses at the Grand National has prompted calls for tougher safety measures during the race.

Solwara One was the first horse to die on Friday, before Elle Est Belle suffered a suspected heart attack on Saturday. Eclair Surf and Discorama then suffered fatal injuries during the main Grand National event.

Forty horses took part in the event which required them to jump over 30 fences, with 50-1 outsider Noble Yeats winning the race.

Emma Lavelle, who trained Eclair Surf, spoke about the decision to have the horse put down following his heavy fall at the third fence.

‘We were optimistic when he left the track, but during the night he just got more and more wobbly and as he got more distressed it wasn’t the right thing to do to keep going,’ said Lavelle.

‘He was in the right place for those decisions to be made and the team both at the races and at the hospital were great.

‘You kind of sit there and think of the ifs and buts and why nots, but you can’t sit and think that.

‘It’s a real gutter for everybody – his owners and the team. He was an exciting horse for the future, but what can you say?’

Meanwhile, Paul Nolan’s horse, Discorama, was pulled up during the race due to a pelvic injury and was put to sleep on welfare grounds after being assessed at Aintree’s veterinary treatment facility.

‘I’m devastated. But that is racing and you have to accept those things,’ Nolan said.

‘He gave us some great days, but all we can do is reflect on the couple of happy days and what he has done for us.

‘It is just devastating for the owners and the yard, and it it is just one of those awful things, but it is part of racing and that is what it is.

‘Unfortunately I could not attend. My father is sick at home and we had to come back from