Pre-race Grand National X-rays ruled out by BHA's equine welfare chief

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UPDATED:

22:17 GMT, 1 April 2012

The man responsible for equine
welfare at the BHA has rejected the idea of pre-race X-rays for runners
before the Grand National, saying there is no evidence it would improve
safety.

Tim Morris, Head of Equine Science
and Welfare, added that research shows X-raying a horse's legs has a
poor record in detecting skeletal weaknesses.

Welfare tops the BHA agenda in the
build-up to the Grand National at Aintree on Saturday week after last
year when two horses were killed.

Breaking the fall: Several runners come to grief at Becher's Brook

But the death of three horses – Bronze Cannon, Fox Hunt and Grand Vent – who suffered fractured legs while galloping on the flat (turf track) in the Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday is a reminder of the risks of all races.

Aintree have invested in a raft of fresh safety measures, including adjustment to three fences, but Morris said that the best way to check horses remained a traditional veterinary examination along and screening of entries.

Sad loss: Dooneys Gate was put down after falling in last year's National

Morris said: 'Fractures are in no way associated with pre-existing problems. Every horse that dies, where the owner gives permission, has a post mortem with bones examined under a microscope to see if there was any pre-existing issue. Generally, we do not find that as a feature.

Perils of racing: Three horses, including Fox Hunt (left), lost their lives on the turf at Meydan on Saturday

'Stress fractures can be difficult to spot and there isn't a clear association between signs of stress fracture and actual fatalities.

'It is something we've considered and would have done but it's not at all predictive.'

Meanwhile, a decision whether Jonjo O'Neill's Synchronised will try to become the first horse since Golden Miller in 1934 to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup-Grand National double should be announced later this week.

Waiting game: AP McCoy faces Irish National dilemma, while connections of Synchronised will finalise plans later this week

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said: 'It could be a midweek decision. We'll speak to the boss but the horse is in really good form.'

Synchronised, who would be ridden by AP McCoy, is now 10-1 joint favourite with David Pipe's Junior after Prince De Beauchene was ruled out of the race.

Before Aintree, McCoy must choose a mount for the Irish National a week on Monday with his options including O'Neill's Cheltenham Festival winner Alfie Sherrin, Catch Me and Groody Hill.

McCoy said: 'I don't know what I will ride but I dread getting off any staying chaser trained by Jonjo O'Neill.'

Henrietta Knight, due to run Calgary Bay in the big Aintree race, has revealed that Somersby suffered a back ligament injury when running below par in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham Festival, something she believes affected his jumping.

He could run again this season at Sandown's Bet365 Gold Cup fixture.

Meanwhile, Michael Bell's Born To Surprise, a five-length Doncaster winner under Jamie Spencer in the seven-furlong maiden on Sunday, has earned him a possible shot at the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on April 19.