Angels

[my miss storm cat]

Racing Post...

Hear The Echo dies on Grand National run-in
By Graham Dench6.27PM 4 APR 2009

THE death of 2008 Irish Grand National winner Hear The Echo was the one sad note in an other wise memorable Grand National.

The Mouse Morris-trained eight-year-old, a late replacement in the line up for the same owners' War Of Attrition, raced in the leading group for much of the way but had dropped to the rear when he collapsed and died close to the line.

Jockey Davy Russell believes Hear The Echo suffered a heart attack, but that cannot be confirmed until a post mortem has taken place.

Professor Tim Morris, the BHA's head of equine science and welfare, said: "In the final stages of the race Hear The Echo faltered and went over. The racecourse will have a post mortem carried out at Liverpool University, but that may not be until Monday."

There were believed to have been no other serious equine injuries.

Denis O'Regan was stood down for the day with an upper arm injury after his fall at second Bechers on Black Apalachi, but it is not understood to have been serious.