Tragic ending to the Ulster Grand National

There was a tragic ending to the Toals Bookmakers Ulster Grand National EBF Handicap Chase (03/03) at Downpatrick when the game winner Chief Oscar collasped 100 yards past the finish line and suffered a heart attack.

Andrew Lynch who was aboard the Oscar gelding hit the front two fences from home and kept on well to hold off the efforts of Bally Wall by a neck.

A visibly shaken Brian Hamilton stated afterwards: “He collasped past the line, the vet said he probably ruptured an artery and had a heart attack.”

“He was just such an honest horse and he gave his all. He has won three times around here, it's just such a horrible thing to happen.”