Mullins head lad hailed after Aintree winner is rushed to hospital with colic

The intervention of Willie Mullins' travelling head lad was hailed after Aintree winner Ashroe Diamond was rushed to equine hospital with a police escort for an operation after a bout of colic.

James Fenton, racing manager for the Blue Blood Racing Club, said the Grade 2 Aintree bumper heroine was now recuperating thanks to the quick thinking of Brendan Kenny.

Ashroe Diamond ran out a hugely impressive winner at Aintree on Thursday but showed signs of a colic just 24 hours after her career-best performance. Luckily, Kenny spotted the mare was in trouble early and, after getting a police escort to Leahurst Equine Hospital, Ashroe Diamond was operated on in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Watch again: Ashroe Diamond's Aintree Bumper victory

Fenton explained: "Fair play to Brendan Kenny, who is the travelling head lad for Willie Mullins, he spotted that she was showing signs of colic. Also a huge thanks needs to go out to Merseyside Police who gave her an escort to Leahurst Equine Hospital where she was operated on overnight.

"She's comfortable at the moment and, touch wood, it looks as though she's over the worst of it. We'll start reintroducing food at five or six o'clock this evening and hopefully she'll continue to progress, but without Brendan things could have been a lot worse.”

The terrifying experience highlights how close racehorses are to danger on a daily basis, according to Fenton, who confirmed Ashroe Diamond will return to training next season with a view to a novice hurdle campaign provided she makes a full recovery.

Fenton said: "It just goes to show that in racing we're living in a bit of a bubble and our bubble was very nearly popped. We were absolutely delighted with Ashroe Diamond on Thursday but no amount of trophies will ever be more important than the mare and I'll travel back over to Liverpool to bring her home myself."

He added: "She'll recuperate at home here and that will be it for the end of the campaign before she goes jumping hurdles with Willie next season."

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