Racing: Neltegrity dies moments after win

NELTEGRITY collapsed and died when walking back in front of the stands after winning at Worcester yesterday. The nine-year-old, trained by Pam Sly, beat Handy Lass by a length and a quarter to take the Tote Handicap Hurdle.

The gelding's jockey, Warren Marston, said: "I think he's had a haemorrhage as he just went down with me. It's all very, very sad as he gave me a great ride and galloped on bravely in the ground to win and I'm devastated."

Never In Debt, representing Venetia Williams, was sent off a warm favourite for the race but proved a major flop when pulled up with a circuit to run.

The stewards quizzed Williams about the favourite's lacklustre performance and she stated that the gelding was in a distressed state afterwards. The stewards decided not to hold an inquiry but did order a routine dope test.

Never In Debt's rider, Norman Williamson said later: "He gave me no feel at all and just felt lifeless. I thought all he had to do was hack round to win but he never went a yard, I just can't explain it."