William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase |
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| Grade 1, Aintree 14:20 £120,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 149y, Class 1  |
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1 Gold Dancer 10/3J
2
Regent''s Stroll 5/1
3
Salver 10/3J
8 ran Distances: 4¾l, 6½l, 10l
Time: 6m 14.66s (slow by 2.16s)
Despite a scare at the last, Gold Dancer wins the Mildmay. Fingers crossed he is OK 🤞 pic.twitter.com/oVCOPYvcab
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 10, 2026
There are occasions in racing when the result, for all its clarity on paper, feels secondary to the events that follow, and this was one such race — a contest that delivered both a performance of real merit and a conclusion of profound sadness.
For much of its running, the race unfolded in an orderly fashion. The pace was measured rather than searching, Gold Dancer, Miami Magic and Regent’s Stroll taking it upon themselves to dictate, with the remainder content to sit and watch. It was a rhythm that suited those on the front end, and as the race developed, it became increasingly apparent that the principals would emerge from that leading group.
Miami Magic was the first to give way, leaving Gold Dancer and Regent’s Stroll to press on, the pair travelling strongly and appearing to have matters between them. Further back, the likes of Doyen Quest and Salver attempted to close, but any momentum they built was quickly checked as the leaders, having briefly steadied, kicked again approaching the business end.
The race then began to unravel. At four out, Miami Magic came down, taking Jordans Cross with him, an incident that thinned the field and removed a potential place contender. Turning for home, Regent’s Stroll still held a narrow advantage, but his effort began to ebb after the penultimate fence, while Gold Dancer, by contrast, travelled with increasing authority.
All that remained was the final obstacle, and it was there that the drama took its most unexpected turn. Gold Dancer made a significant error, ploughing through the fence and briefly losing his hind legs, yet Paul Townend remained composed, regathering his mount and driving him forward to the line. The winning margin, four and three-quarter lengths, reflected the superiority he had established before that mistake, while Regent’s Stroll, to his credit, rallied again to secure second, well clear of Salver.
What followed, however, cast a long shadow over the result. Townend dismounted immediately after the line, and despite prompt attention from the veterinary team, it soon became clear that Gold Dancer had suffered a fatal injury.
Eddie O’Leary summed up the mood with stark clarity.
“Unfortunately he broke his back and they had to put him down.
“Paul said he made one mistake but that he kept going to the line with no problem, it was only when he pulled up he felt iffy. It was an unbelievable performance as he jumped brilliantly and just made that one little mistake.
“It is a hollow victory now for the poor horse as he didn’t deserve it.”
In such circumstances, reflection inevitably shifts from result to remembrance, and the performance itself — brave, fluent for the most part, and ultimately decisive — stands as a testament to the horse rather than a statistic.
Behind him, Regent’s Stroll emerged with considerable credit, his effort suggesting a horse still progressing, even if ultimately outmatched on the day.
“I’m thrilled with that run. He jumped well and travelled well.
“He needs a trip now. He is going to have a wind operation in the summer, but I’ve known that all along. At two out he just went for his girths a bit, but then he stayed on again. We have got that in our locker [wind operation] which I’ve known for a while that I need to do this summer. He is getting so much better in himself as he is more relaxed and that was a fantastic run.
“I thought he would run well today. I couldn’t do his wind mid-season this season but I’ve known for a while it has needed doing. He hasn’t had it done before. He looked to hit a flat spot then picked up again. It was a fantastic run and he loves that ground.
“He keeps improving and I think now we have got him to relax, jump and settle, we will have a whole different horse next season.
“They took each other on a little bit which probably didn’t help but there is a lot to look forward to in the future and he will be more the finished article next season.”
In the end, this was a race that will be remembered not for its margins or its form lines, but for the horse at its centre — a winner in every sense that matters, and one whose loss is felt far beyond the bare result.
Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1)
£120,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 149y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places
