Top Irish horses paying a heavy price The Grand National meeting is taking a heavy toll on equine life as three prominent Irish names were added to that of Pagan Starprincess in the fatalities list, at stage two of the Aintree Festival. Schindlers Hunt (John Smith’s Melling Chase) and John Smith's Topham Chase pair, Plaisir D'Estruval and Prudent Honour all paid the ultimate price for their endeavors. Paddy Flood, rider of Schindlers Hunt, was ruled out for the ride on Vic Venturi in the Grand National after suffering a suspected broken collarbone. Roger Loughran (his first ride in the show-piece) now takes over on Dessie Hughes' contender. Prudent Honour and Plaisir D'Estruval both came a cropper at Valentines, not previously a problem obstacle, prompting the RSPCA to ask for drop fences to be reviewed. Schindlers Hunt (of course he just failed by a head to Voy Por Ustedes in the 2009 Melling Chase) is a big loss to his owners, the Slaneyville Syndicate, trainer Dessie Hughes and everyone at Osborne Lodge. The chestnut son of Oscar Schindler won seven races including the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Novice Chase in 2006, the Grade 1 Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase also at Leopardstown in January 2007, the Tattersalls Ireland Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase in 2008 and the Leopardstown Handicap Chase in 2009. Two other Grade 1 Irish horses also lost their lives cross-channel this season. Casey Jones (Grade 1 Knight Frank Novice Chase winner at Leopardstown in 2008) ran his last race in the William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase, suffering a fatal injury after being brought down at the seventh. Meanwhile Citizen Vic (Grade 1 Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase hero of 2010) fell two out in the RSA Chase and injured himself fatally in the incident.
