Grand National horse remains in hospital after picking up injury during fall as trainer issues health update

Ed Griffiths
Sun, 12 Apr 2026 14:59:22 +0000

Grand National runner Mr Vango is anticipated to recover fully after coming down during Saturday's race at Aintree, according to trainer Sara Bradstock.

The 10-year-old chaser remains under observation at Leahurst Equine Hospital, where he was transported on Saturday evening following the incident at the sixth fence.

Bradstock confirmed on Sunday that her horse would stay at the facility until veterinary staff give him clearance to leave.

The trainer emphasised that Mr Vango is receiving excellent care at the specialist equine hospital.

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She said: "We’re still at the equine hospital, he does have a small avulsion fracture in neck, but it is nowhere near the vertebrae of his neck.

"We have to thank God and hopefully with a bit of a following wind he will make a full recovery.

"We’re looking after him very carefully and we will give him a CT scan before I bring him home.

"It could take a while, but hopefully he will be OK."

The trainer added: "If the CT shows we haven’t missed anything, he could be home by the middle of the week.

"I’m super careful and we won’t take any risks, but he’s here with his Shetland pony and they are both OK.

"There was a worry briefly last night, but we’re all a lot happier now and he’s moving around normally.

"I’m of course up here with him and Lily (daughter) is in with him giving him a brush."

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He was among three horses from the 34-strong field requiring professional assessment after departing at the sixth obstacle.

Bradstock remains optimistic that this setback will not mark the end of her horse's racing career, describing him as a bold and substantial chaser.

She added: "There’s every chance he will be back next season, but there is a chip off the wing of his vertebrae so that has got to land in the right place.

"He’s happy, he’s moving his neck and the vets are quite happy with him at the moment."

The trainer said: "The CT will tell us if there is anything more sinister we haven’t found. But as things stand he could be back next year.

"He will be well looked after whatever happens and at worst he can go and live with his friend Coneygree. They would be some posse as they both think they are the king."

The Grand National had been a long-term objective for the stamina-laden gelding, who came tantalisingly close to victory over Aintree's famous fences when competing in the Becher Chase last December.

Meanwhile, jockey Toby McCain-Mitchell, whose grandfather Ginger McCain trained the legendary Red Rum, received a 10-day suspension from stewards.

​The ban was imposed after McCain-Mitchell failed to pull up the horse when Mr Vango had fallen out of contention during the race.

Trainer Willy Twiston-Davies said: "Top Of The Bill is home and has trotted up sound this morning, and his heart rate is back to normal, so all is fine.

"He’s absolutely A1. Our other runner Beauport is the same, so we’re all good."