Stewards abandon race after heatwave

CHELTENHAM stewards were forced to abandon yesterday’s long-distance chase because of the hot weather. The three-mile, twofurlong race was called off on welfare grounds after a consultation between jockeys, trainers and stewards. After the first race, two horses were reported to be suffering from heat stress, with temperatures touching 25oC. Another runner, Dame Rose, collapsed and died of a suspected heart attack, but a track spokesman said the death was not linked to the heat. He added: ‘After consultations between all parties, it was agreed that the long distance chase should not be run.’ The stewards’ report said that running the race ‘posed an unacceptable risk to horses over this extreme distance in the prevailing heat, especially as horses appear not to have acclimatised to the exceptionally warm weather following a prolonged cold spell’. JOHN GOSDEN (above) refused to be downbeat after his 2,000 Guineas hope Roaring Lion was beaten nine lengths by Masar in the Bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket. Roaring Lion’s odds have been pushed out to 14-1 for next month’s 2,000 Guineas, but trainer Gosden said it was still his intention to run him in the race. ‘We’ll still hope to go for the Guineas,’ said Gosden. ‘It is very different from a trial. If it is a solidly-run race, you will see a very different Roaring Lion.’ OUR DUKE, winner of the 2017 Irish Grand National, has died after suffering a heart attack on the gallops.