Race Cheltenham abandoned after horse Dame Rose dies of heart attack

A horse has died in 'unseasonably warm weather' at Cheltenham race course which has seen one of the longer races on the card abandoned.

The decision was made to not run the JRL Group Mares' Handicap Chase on welfare grounds with temperatures touching 24C.

On an unseasonably hot afternoon in the Cotswolds the three-mile-two-furlong contest, which was scheduled to be the fourth race on the card, was abandoned.

This was after the Richard Hobson-trained Dame Rose collapsed and died after finishing fourth in the Huw Stevens, Jo Whiley Afterparty Onsale Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

The five-year-old had been ridden by Richard Johnson.

A Cheltenham statement read: "Following a discussion between stewards, vets, trainers and jockeys, the fourth race will be abandoned due to race distance and the heat.

"The remainder of the card will go ahead."

The British Horseracing Authority tweeted: "Three mile two furlong race abandoned on horse welfare grounds due to the heat and extreme distance of the race."

The remaining three races, one of which was a bumper, were all due to be staged at around two miles.

The Stewards report on the meeting stated: "Owing to the extremely warm weather permission was given for horses not to return to the winners or unsaddling enclosures if, on veterinary advice, they needed to be assessed on the pull up area.

Earlier, trainer Jessica Harrington announced the death of Irish Grand National winner Our Duke.

The eight-year-old, who won the Fairyhouse showpiece as a novice last season, suffered a heart attack.

He had endured an interrupted campaign this season after disappointing on his return to action at Down Royal in November.

It was subsequently found he was suffering from a kissing spine, which was treated before he ran better at Leopardstown in February and then went on to land the Red Mills Chase from Presenting Percy.