Lucinda Russell’s Giovinco suffered a fatal injury after falling at the final fence of the opening race of the day - the Mildmay Novices’ Chase - on Friday afternoon at the Grand National Festival. The seven-year-old fell when making ground on the home straight, requiring treatment on the track.

Russell’s stable star took a nasty fall at the last which prompted on-course vets to immediately rush to his aid. Screens were placed around the gelding as he received treatment, with the huge crowd at Aintree left crossing their fingers in the hope that the hugely popular horse would recover.

ITV Racing later announced that Giovinco had unfortunately suffered a fatal injury following the fall, with the broadcasters sending their best wishes to Russell’s yard and connections of the promising horse.

Giovinco headed to Aintree with a fair chance after finishing third in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He had also won over a shorter distance in a two-horse race in February.

Inothewayurthinkin went on to win the Mildmay Novices’ Chase at odds of 6/4, staying on superbly for jockey Mark Walsh. The gelding didn’t jump fluently through the early stages of the race but was nursed into contention and found plenty for pressure during the latter stages of the contest, relishing the 3m 1f trip.

The race panned out in a similar fashion to how the Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old landed the Kim Muir Challenge Cup under Derek O’Connor in March, when he cruised to an eight-length victory over Git Maker and highlighted why he should step up out of handicap company.

The full sister to Inothewayurthinkin, Limerick Lace, will be bidding for glory in the Grand National. She will have to improve for her victory in the Mares’ Chase if she is to become the first mare to win the race since 1951, especially as Russell’s Corach Rambler will be bidding to retain his crown on Saturday afternoon.

The yard will be hoping that the 10-year-old can provide a much-needed spark of joy after the passing of Giovinco. He heads into the race following a third-place finish in the Gold Cup, behind Gerri Colombe (who landed the William Hill Bowl Chase on Friday) and the incredibly highly-rated Galopin Des Champs. The race could have set Corach Rambler up well for the 4m 2f trip, though he has had a hike up the weights.