JAMES GIVEN, the British Horseracing Authority’s director of equine health and welfare, said yesterday a recent spate of racecourse fatalities are “a cause of concern.”

Following the high-profile death of Grand National runner Celebre d’Allen from a post-race infection at the start of the month, the National Hunt code endured a testing few days with four fatalities at Ayr’s Scottish Grand National meeting as well as two deaths at Cheltenham’s April fixture.

Given — a former trainer himself — pointed to quicker ground as a relevant factor, saying: “The stats are there for everyone to see, they are monitored on a constant basis and it is a cause of concern.