BHA said Aintree fatalities were unforeseeable in this year's race
PICTURE: Getty ImagesAintree deaths could not be prevented says BHA
INJURIES to According To Pete and Synchronised in the John Smith's Grand National last month that led to them being put down were caused by factors that were neither foreseeable nor preventable, according to a review by the BHA.
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised parted company with Tony McCoy at Becher's Brook but continued riderless for five fences before fracturing a leg at the 11th, while According To Pete was brought down at Becher's on the second circuit and also had to be put down.
The review was conducted using veterinary evidence and detailed analysis of all available television footage.
BHA director of raceday operations and regulations, Jamie Stier, said: "In the case of both Synchronised and According To Pete, it was apparent that factors one could neither have foreseen nor prevented were prevalent in the events that led to the two horses sustaining their injuries."
The BHA review also concluded that although all 40 jockeys had breached the rules during the three occasions they lined up before the race eventually started, no disciplinary action will be taken against them.
Instead, all the riders will receive letters in which the BHA and Aintree express disappointment over their conduct at the start.
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