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Belfast-based writer’s award-winning crime thriller set to stream on BBC soon

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Belfast Live

The acclaimed feature film will receive its television debut next month on BBC iPlayer

The highly praised feature film Aontas is scheduled to land on BBC iPlayer next month, forming part of BBC Gaeilge’s Seachtain na Gaeilge programming roster.

This Irish language crime thriller has earned global recognition across the film festival circuit throughout 2025 and is set to make its television premiere next month on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Northern Ireland and TG4.

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The narrative focuses on three unlikely criminals, spearheaded by Mairéad (Carrie Crowley), a woman on the brink of breakdown, as they plot to rob a rural Irish Credit Union.

As their plan begins to unravel, Mairéad and her two accomplices, sister Cáit (Bríd Brennan) and Sheila (Eva-Jane Gaffney), swiftly realise they can’t escape their past.

The cast is completed by Seán T. Ó Meallaigh (Colly), Marcus Lamb (Dara), Art Parkinson (Éamonn), Naseen Morgan (Elma), Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh (Brian), Bríd Ní Chumhaill (Nóirín), Mary Ryan (Mary), Christopher Grant (Caoimhín), Frankie McCafferty (Len) and Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhrighde (Con), reports the Mirror.

READ MORE: Industry season 4 episode 7 Points of Emphasis explained ahead of finaleREAD MORE: Sky News issues breaking news update from BBC after Baftas racial slur fury

Belfast-based writer Damian McCann and Sarah Gordon crafted the screenplay, whilst Órfhlaith Ní Chearnaigh and Christopher Myers produced for Púca Pictures. Funding for Aontas was provided by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund, BBC Gaeilge and TG4, with support from Yellowmoon.

Aontas scooped Clár Teilifíse/Scannán na Bliana at the Oireachtas Media Awards held in Belfast in November 2025.

It also secured Best Film Feature at the San Diego International Film Festival 2025, San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, Maryland International Film Festival, Three Rivers Film Festival, Ojai International Film Festival, Manchester International Film Festival and Irish Film Festival London.

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Lead actress Carrie Crowley previously shared her thoughts on why she believes “it’s a great time to be an older woman” in cinema.

Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday, she remarked: “‘It’s a very good time to be an older woman. I think maybe 30 years ago, would there have been many interesting parts? Probably not, because they were looking for the hot totty all the time.”

The 1997 Eurovision presenter feels the contribution of older women, and their significance in television and cinema, is at last being acknowledged by the industry. “Now we have come to understand that there are stories in older characters and older women. They don’t have to be the leads in the story but they are very much a part of it.”

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The actress also discussed how young people don’t require much convincing these days as she believes there is a “hunger for the language among the younger generation”.

And she feels its usage is “now much more widespread” as it is “not just the little elite groups but it is being opened out to other people, regardless of the level they can use it”.

She attributes this to artists such as rappers Kneecap and a shift in attitudes, with more people now prepared “to give it a try.”

The film launches on BBC iPlayer, BBC One Northern Ireland and TG4 on Monday 16 March.

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From compression boots to massage balm: The post-marathon recovery gear every runner needs

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From compression boots to massage balm: The post-marathon recovery gear every runner needs

You’ve just run 26.2 miles – your muscles deserve better than a hot bath. The Theragun PRO Plus combines six science-backed therapies in one device – percussive massage, near-infrared LED, vibration, heat, guided breathwork, and optional cold therapy (sold separately) – to target deep muscle soreness, ease stiffness in joints, and accelerate repair at a cellular level.

It delivers the equivalent of a 15-minute massage in two minutes. Your calves, quads, hips and hamstrings will be asking why you didn’t buy this sooner.

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Prince Harry being sued for defamation by kids charity, courts records show

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Daily Record

The Duke of Sussex co-founded the charity in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.

Prince Harry is being sued for defamation by the Sentebale charity, according to High Court records. Online court filings show the Duke of Sussex is a defendant in a libel or slander claim alongside Mark Dy

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The claim originally filed on March 24 but no documents are available at this stage. Harry co-founded the charity in 2006 alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to support vulnerable children and young people affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty in Lesotho and Botswana.

However, he stepped down from his role as patron last year after a governance dispute. In a scathing joint statement, both princes said: “Nearly 20 years ago, we founded Sentebale in honour of our mothers.

“Sentebale means ‘forget-me-not’ in Sesotho, the local language of Lesotho, and it’s what we’ve always promised for the young people we’ve served through this charity. Today is no different.

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“With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation.”

The Duke supports a number of children’s charities and recently donated £1.1 million to Children In Need.

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everything you need to know about using them

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everything you need to know about using them

Osteoarthritis affects around 600 million people globally. It causes pain, stiffness and reduced joint function – most commonly in the knees, hands and hips.

There’s currently no cure for osteoarthritis. Many people manage the condition through exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, using walking aids and medications.

Commonly used medications include anti-inflammatories and opioids. While these help some, they also carry downsides – including significant side-effects, particularly in over-60s, and risk of addiction from long-term opioid use.

Joint replacement surgery can be very effective for relieving pain and improving mobility, but waiting lists in the last two years hit an all time high, due to increasing demands and reduced capacity since the COVID pandemic.

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Surgery also carries risks such as infection, blood clots and nerve damage. Joint replacement surgery is typically suitable for those with advanced stage osteoarthritis.

So how else can osteoarthritis be treated?

Corticosteroid injections, commonly known as steroid injections or cortisone, have been used for joint pain for more than 70 years. They offer a rapid, effective way of reducing pain.

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs able to reduce inflammation and pain associated with osteoarthritis. Injecting corticosteroid directly into the joint means it has maximum effect where needed, while minimising effects on the rest of the body.

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The effects of steroid injections can last for months, reducing the need for surgery and reliance on prescription drugs. Those most likely to benefit from steroid injections have persistent pain which disrupts sleep and function, and who find other medications unsuitable or ineffective.

But as effective as steroid injections can be, their effects will vary from person to person. They may not be as effective in severe cases of osteoarthritis, as they only reduce inflammation and cannot repair damaged or lost cartilage.

Steroid injections may also risk accelerating arthritis or causing bone problems in some people, particularly if used in high doses or too often. Routine use in early stages of osteoarthritis is therefore generally avoided. This is because steroid injections can damage cartilage and bone cells which may further weaken and damage the joint.

Steroid injections may also not be suitable for people already taking high doses of steroids for other health problems (such as rheumatoid arthritis or asthma), and those who have a weakened immune system or are otherwise unwell. Taking too much artificial steroid affects the body’s production of natural steroid, which is essential for our metabolism.

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Steroid injections may increase risk of infection following surgery if an injection has been given beforehand. For this reason, the majority of surgeons a minimum of three months between your last injection before surgery.

Although side-effects from steroid injections are fortunately rare, people need to be aware of these to make an informed decision about treatment. These can include: infection, allergic reaction, bleeding, bruising, skin colour changes, temporary flare in pain, bone and joint changes and increased blood sugar levels in those with diabetes.

Steroid injections should only be performed every three to four months.
aslysun/ Shutterstock

It’s advised that injections aren’t performed more than every three to four months to reduce risk of side-effects and accelerating the arthritis. With hip injections there is need to be more cautious due to risks of cartilage and bone damage from even just one injection .

Managing joint health

Depending on the country, you may be able to have a steroid injection done by your GP, a nurse or a physiotherapist.

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Within the UK, first contact physiotherapists working in primary care are accessible in the same way the GP is, many are trained and can offer early access to steroid injections. Injections may be provided within a GP surgery, however hip and spine injections are usually guided by ultrasound or X-ray imaging, which may only be available within a hospital.

Since injections can temporarily reduce osteoarthritis pain, this provides a window of opportunity within which to start exercising. Exercise is important for managing osteoarthritis, as it can strengthen joint-supporting muscles and reduce pain. Physical activity can even be beneficial for those planning to undergo joint replacement surgery as it can improve pain, function and length of hospital stay after surgery.

After injection, it’s recommended people initially rest for a few days, but then gradually increase the amount of exercise they undertake. A physiotherapist can advise on the best types of exercise you can do to help manage your osteoarthritis.

Addressing other contributing factors is essential for managing osteoarthritis, as well. There’s strong evidence linking various metabolic factors to osteoarthritis – such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These factors increase inflammation within the body, which affects cartilage in joints. Losing weight where needed is also hugely beneficial in reducing strain on joints.

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For those who may not want to use steroid injections, there are other options.

Hyaluronic acid injections, for instance. These help our natural joint lubrication, called synovial fluid. In osteoarthritis, synovial fluid has less viscosity and levels are reduced. Hyaluronic acid is also believed to work as an anti-inflammatory.

Similar to steroid injections, they can reduce pain and increase movement and function. They may be more beneficial to people with earlier stage osteoarthritis and may theoretically have fewer negative effects to cartilage. There may also be value in combining the two types of injection.

Hyaluronic acid has a similar safety profile to corticosteroid, with few reported side-effects. It may, however, take up to 12 weeks for effects to show – though the benefits can last up to six months.

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Accessibility is limited in the UK, hyaluronic acid is not currently recommended within NICE guidelines, primarily due to cost effectiveness, so may only be available to those privately funding their care.

Joint injections are not a cure for osteoarthritis. They can have variable effects, and work best combined with other management approaches (such as weight loss and exercise). But with long wait times for surgery, they may offer a valuable way to reduce pain and manage the condition.

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Weird new indie game makes you complete Captcha tests to set fire to trees

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Weird new indie game makes you complete Captcha tests to set fire to trees
A modern nightmare (Black Tabby Publishing)

The creators behind 1000xResist have revealed new game Prove You’re Human, which turns one of the internet’s most annoying features into gameplay.

If you’ve navigated the internet at any point over the past decade, you’ve probably been asked to prove you’re a human being via a Captcha test.

These tests are designed to counter bots when making purchases online or logging into personal accounts, and usually ask you to select tiles with certain objects on them on a 3×3 grid, whether bridges or traffic cones, in order to prove you’re not dead behind the eyes.

If the idea of doing that consistently over a full game sounds like fun to you, a new title from Sunset Visitor, creators of the excellent 1000xResist, and the publisher behind Slay The Princess, is promising exactly that.

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Prove You’re Human follows a character who has been split into two – a human and a digital copy. The digital copy has been paid to test a corporate product called Mesa and is convinced it’s just as human as their other self.

As shown in the trailer, the game oscillates between life in the virtual world and live action footage of your human self. In the virtual realm, you roam around and use Captcha on parts of the environment, including trees which suddenly set ablaze, and other more abstract items.

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The trailer’s increasingly psychedelic closing half suggests there’s more going on than meets the eye, but according to the Steam description, the end of the game will see you ‘decide if you’d like to re-merge your two selves or discard your work self’. So it’s all very Severance.

There is no release date yet for Prove You’re Human, so it will likely be a while off yet, and it’s only confirmed to come out on PC via Steam. But given the developer’s track record it should be worth waiting for.

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Prove You’re Human was revealed as part of the Triple-i Initiative Showcase on Thursday evening, but there were several other standout games, including Graveyard Keeper 2, Don’t Starve Elsewhere, and rhythm beat ’em up Dead As Disco, which hits early access on May 5, 2026.

For fans of indie tabletop horror game Buckshot Roulette, developer Mike Klubnika also revealed his next game called Machine Party, which basically looks like a crossover between Mario Party and Saw. It’s slated to be released this summer on PC.

Dead As Disco screenshot
Dead As Disco is a new rhythm beat ’em up (Brain Jar Games)

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‘Incredible’ Welsh holiday home with indoor pool and hot tub perfect for big groups and families

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The Old Rectory house in Powys sleeps up to 16 people and is highly praised for its “incredible amenities.”

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If you are searching for a getaway with a large group of friends or extended family, Sykes Cottages has many beautiful accommodation options that would serve has a peaceful base for exploring Welsh countryside.

One standout holiday home is the Old Rectory House located in Powys. This spacious house is tucked away in the village of Aberhafesp in mid Wales and is surrounded by rolling greenery and peaceful landscapes that reviewers have consistently praised.

The Old Rectory House is an eight bedroom and eight bathroom accommodation that can sleep 16 guests. The property is spread across three floors making it perfectly suited for large groups like a multi-generational family trip or a getaway with friends.

The layout provides both privacy and plenty of room to socialise in the well furnished living rooms or the large outdoor spaces. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here

For those looking to indulge, the Old Rectory House goes far beyond your average holiday place. Standout amenities include a private indoor swimming pool and hot tub, offering the perfect way to unwind whatever the weather.

Downstairs, the basement has been transformed into a dedicated entertainment hub, complete with a games room and cinema room.

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One guest who loved their time in the Old Rectory has said: “This is a rare example of a house that massively exceeded expectations. Not only was the setting beautiful and the rooms and living spaces nicely designed, the amenities are incredible, its easy to find and because of the pool and the games room the many kids we were with were entertained all weekend. We are already planning on returning!”

Another stayer said: “We travelled as a group of 15 to the old rectory. We have stayed at lots of places together over the years and this is our favourite. It’s now our third stay and we have just booked our fourth in 2027.”

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Stayers of the Old Rectory House is largely very positive, one downside of the property however is that it does not accept pets.

For those who are looking for a cottage that is pet-friendly, Oernant Farmhouse in West Wales accepts up to three pets and a week long stay this month has been reduced from £865 to £742.

Another pet-friendly cottage is the Firs near Abergavenny. It is a detached 17th-century listed cottage surrounded by green hills.

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The Old Rectory House available on Sykes Cottage’s summary:

  • Over three floors
  • Eight bedrooms
  • Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • First-floor cloakroom with basin and WC
  • Utility room
  • 2 x sitting room
  • Conservatory
  • Private hot tub
  • Lower-ground-floor cinema room,
  • Separate indoor heated swimming pool with changing rooms
  • 9 x Smart TV, cinema screen and WiFi
  • Minimum stay is three nights

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Hibs fan diagnosed with incurable cancer after smelling candy floss dies as tributes paid

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Daily Record

“He has left such a big hole in all of our lives.”

A massive Hibs fan who was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer after smelling candy floss has sadly died as his family pay heartfelt tributes. Steve Turnbull was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in 2024 after he experienced months of sickness, the smell of candy floss and issues with his vision and balance.

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The 64-year-old passed away on January 27, leaving behind his loving family and friends. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, his brother Alan said Steve “remained positive” throughout his battle.

He was passionate about raising awareness for brain tumours and even took on the Dundee Kilt Walk to raise money for charity Brain Tumour Research. Steve had extensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy to manage the tumour’s size which extended his life to around 18 months.

Alan said Steve has “left a big hole” and was a man of many talents. He added: “By the time he was diagnosed, he was already stage four. It was just a case of managing it.

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“He decided to go on a course of chemo and radiotherapy which extended his life to around 18 months. He always seemed so positive.

“He never really shared much with us. He would tell us the treatment he was going through but he would never really tell us the full story.

“I think he was trying to protect us and he never moaned about any of it.”

While working as an IT project manager in Letham, Steve also had many interests including music, magic and football. He was a dedicated Hibs supporter and would regularly attend matches with his brother.

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Alan added: “Football was his main thing. We would always be on the Hibs supporter bus. He also played football at a decent level too. He was also trying to get around all the grounds in Scotland which I don’t think he managed but it was definitely one of his main passions.

“Steve absolutely loved magic too – he would always have a pack of cards with him. My sister-in-law tells a story about when they were in Turkey and their bus broke down. They were at the side of the road and he just got his cards out and started doing magic tricks.

“He was a drummer too and he would always carry a pair of drumsticks in the car. If he was stuck in traffic he would start playing on the steering wheel and tapping along to the music.

“I could go on forever talking about some of the things he loved. He would meet so much people and made a lot of different friends through different things.”

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Steve was always telling jokes and was a big “family man”. His brother added: “If he came to birthdays or family events, you would always hear him before you saw him.

“He was always telling jokes and always had a story to tell. He has left such a big hole in all of our lives.”

The dad first started to become unwell just after New Year’s Day in 2024, when he vomited out of the blue after tasting gravy. He would regularly be hit with bizarre smells including candy floss.

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His brother first noticed something was wrong at his niece’s wedding. Alan added: “He was kind of slurring his words.

“He doesn’t drink so I knew it wasn’t alcohol. His face was drooping and we thought he was maybe having a stroke.

“It was only a matter of weeks later we found out he had an aggressive brain tumour. He started having these weird smelling sensations and smelled of candy floss.

“He hadn’t been well for a matter of time and it got to the point where he had to go and get tests done.”

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Steve’s niece and nephew, Erin and Rhys, are preparing to take on the Edinburgh Marathon in honour of their uncle. Erin, 23, said they are fundraising for Brain Tumour Research.

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She added: “We just decided to go big or go home. As the weeks get closer it becomes a bit more daunting but it’s all for a good cause. The aim is just to cross the finish line and know that we’ve raised money for such a good cause in memory of my uncle.”

You can donate to the fundraisers here and here.

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Revealed: how Russia, China and Right-wing Trump supporters are spreading lies online about London

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Revealed: how Russia, China and Right-wing Trump supporters are spreading lies online about London

A US-based X account reshared footage from Bolton in 2024, falsely presenting it as a current incident of Muslim violence in London in January 2026.

A UK-based X account shared a video claiming to show “Somalis” filming an execution in London (January 2026), omitting to say that the footage was staged by a TikTok streamer as shock content.

Three monetised X accounts repeated the same false claim about London New Year’s Eve celebrations within four hours on 1 January 2026, generating more than 155,000 views.

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A network of 32 Facebook pages (one per London borough) was repurposed on 17 May 2024 from Ulez-focused pages to appear as local activist groups.

A Vietnam-based Facebook network, with a combined following of around 1.25 million, targeted London and the mayor, framing the city as a site of governance failure and housing injustices.

A Sri Lanka-based content farm produced monetised AI-generated posts.

A Nigeria-based cluster impersonated UK media outlets.

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Chinese-style chicken and egg fried rice

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Chinese-style chicken and egg fried rice

Woks in our home kitchens never get as hot as they do in restaurants, where they have a lot of power under them – so dishes like this won’t be as perfect as they could be. Unless you’ve grown up stir-frying, it’s hard to get it right too.

All those different elements cooked in one pan? You have to think about how much time each one needs. Nevertheless, I have, over the years, managed to do chicken and egg fried rice in a way that works, at least for the family on a weeknight. I cook the dish in stages and do the eggs in a separate pan, otherwise I end up with rice and scrambled eggs.

I don’t even think about making this with freshly cooked rice (it will just get sticky). I use Chinese chilli bean paste in other dishes too, so don’t feel buying it is a waste of money. The alcohol is my own thing (goodness knows what Ken Hom would think) but I love its flavour with ginger. You can leave it out if you don’t fancy it.

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Requires 20 minutes for the rice in advance

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Gold Dancer jockey explains how fatal injury occurred while winning race at Aintree

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Jockey Paul Townend had to attend a stewards inquiry into his riding of Gold Dancer, who had to be euthanised after the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase on welfare grounds

Top jockey Paul Townend has explained what happened to Gold Dancer when he suffered a fatal injury at Aintree’s Grand National Festival on Friday. The Willie Mullins-trained horse ran an almost perfect race and was on course for a wide-margin win in the William Hill Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

But he made a serious error at the last fence, dragging his back legs through the obstacle, losing momentum before he was ridden to the line, still managing to record a near five-length win. Realising something was wrong, Townend immediately pulled up Gold Dancer shortly after the finish and dismounted the horse quickly.

He was attended immediately by Aintree’s veterinary team and green screens erected around the horse for privacy, yet despite their best efforts Gold Dancer could not be saved.

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READ MORE: Grand National 2026: Gold Dancer dies after suffering fatal injury while winning raceREAD MORE: Top Grand National betting offers including Betfair, Paddy Power and Sky Bet

“He’s been put down. He broke his back,” said Eddie O’Leary, racing manager for the Gigginstown owned by his brother, the Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary. “It’s terribly sad for the horse. What could Paul Townend do? He felt fine, it was just when he pulled up that something was wrong.”

Miami Magic and Jordans Cross fell during the race but both horses had walked back to the stables afterwards.

Aintree Racecourse issued a statement confirming the news. They said: “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after the line and dismounted.

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“He was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team but sadly he could not be saved. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”

The stewards held an inquiry into the riding of Gold Dancer “from jumping the final fence up until rounding the bend towards the pull up area after which the gelding was immediately assessed by Veterinary Surgeons and subsequently euthanised on welfare grounds”, their report said.

It continued: “Townend and the Director of Equine Regulation, Safety, and Welfare were both interviewed and shown recordings of the incident. Townend explained that Gold Dancer had made a bad mistake at the last fence after which it had taken a stride or two for the gelding to gather himself before, in his opinion, running on in a straight line to the winning line where Gold Dancer felt sound.

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“Townend added that it was only until rounding the bend towards the pull up area that the gelding’s action changed when Gold Dancer went from a canter to a trot after which he immediately dismounted from the gelding.

“After reviewing the footage, The Director of Equine, Safety, and Welfare explained that Gold Dancer’s action was typical of a 3-mile chaser in the final stages of a race and supported the evidence of Townend. After hearing all of their evidence, the Stewards noted Townend’s explanation.”

Willie Mullins, speaking to RacingTV, said: “It’s a big loss out of the yard because he was improving all the time and today, to give such an exhibition of jumping, to give his owner, give me, give Paul, all the people who backed him such a thrill and then for that to happen after the line was unbelievable.

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“Paul said to me the horse galloped through the line fine, went down to his slow pace at a canter and then just as he turned he went into a trot and that was the first he felt. He took a pull of the reins and that’s when he lost his action.

“I would say he didn’t feel that the horse had any damage and he galloped all the way to the line and that’s what you do. It’s like a forward going for goal. He’s going to keep going and if something happens he’s going to keep going and kick the ball into the back of the net if he can.

“Same with the jockey. Unless they feel that the horse’s action really wrong, he’s not going to stop, because if he stops he’ll lose his licence. The other punters will drag him off the horse and say what did you pull him up for.

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“He didn’t feel anything was wrong until after the line. Horses make mistakes and people out running trip and get up and run another ten miles and they only find out later on that night that they’ve pulled a muscle somewhere. It’s just life. We can’t legislate for everything.

“If Paul thought there was something wrong he’d be the first one to pull him up.”

A statement from the BHA said: “The veterinary assessment was that the appropriate course of action was to humanely euthanise the horse.

“Having reviewed the footage of the incident, James Given, the BHA’s Director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, agreed that Gold Dancer’s action was typical of a horse in the closing stages of such a race, that he appeared sound until rounding the bend, at which point he was immediately dismounted.

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“As is the case with any fatal injury, the incident will now be looked at in detail through our fatality review process, which is part of the sport’s commitment to ongoing improvements in racehorse safety.”

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Labour MPs Prepare For Election Bloodbath Amid Polls

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Labour MPs Prepare For Election Bloodbath Amid Polls

Keir Starmer has spent most of the past week in his happy place, being a global statesman and rubbing shoulders with fellow leaders.

The prime minister flew to the Middle East just hours after America and Iran agreed what has so far proven to be an uneasy ceasefire.

With Labour expected to suffer major losses in the elections on May 7, Starmer might have been tempted to remain in the world’s most dangerous hotspot until it’s all over.

The elections for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and a host of councils across England will uppermost in MPs’ minds as they return to Westminster on Monday after the Easter recess.

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They will only be back for two weeks, however, before parliament is prorogued until the King’s Speech on May 13, by which time the full extent of Labour’s nightmare will be apparent.

It’s going to be a fucking bloodbath,” one gloomy MP told HuffPost UK. ”I don’t see a world where you can broadcast those results before the watershed.”

“The focus is on rallying the troops over the next few weeks, there’s not a lot of thought about parliamentary business,” another backbencher said.

“Loads of colleagues in Scotland, Wales and across England just want to get through to May 8.”

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The opinion polls are consistent and clear. Labour – and, to a lesser extent, the Tories – are going to have a horrific night.

The SNP will win again in Scotland, while Plaid Cymru are set to be the government in Wales for the first time since devolution.

In England, Labour are expected to lose between 1,500 and 2,000 seats as previously-solid councils fall to both Reform UK and the Greens.

One MP with elections in his patch said “it feels terminal on the doorstep”, with voters making clear their unhappiness with Labour’s performance in government so far.

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In particular, the MP said, the party leadership have failed to appreciate the scale of the challenge posed to Labour by Zack Polanski’s Green Party.

The trouble with Keir and his goons is they are analogue minded in a digital world,” they said. “It’s like we’ve ordered Tony Blair’s 1997 operation on Temu.

“If you’re in the middle of the road you get run over, and the Greens have forced us into the middle of the road by playing our favourite tunes, but better.

“Our attack lines about them wanting to legalise drugs and pull us out of Nato just don’t work, not least because Trump wants to leave Nato as well.

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“That type of attack might have worked in the 90s, but it doesn’t work now.”

Nigel Farage unveiled his party’s local election slogan on Thursday: “Vote Reform. Get Starmer Out.”

He’s likely to be disappointed, however, with the PM’s position more secure than it has been in months. There is little indication that he faces an imminent leadership challenge, no matter how bad May 7 is for his party.

This is largely down to the war in Iran, with the PM widely seen to have got the big calls right.

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Unlike Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage, he did not rush to support the US and Israel’s decision to start bombing, even though it has shattered the previously-good relationship he had with Trump.

The president rarely misses an opportunity now to have a pop at the prime minister, who responded on Thursday by comparing the president to Vladimir Putin – an unthinkable situation just a few short weeks ago.

One Starmer ally said: “He’s in a good place, I think. Events in Iran and Trump’s outrageous social media posts have shown that he’s the statesman we need at this time and that cool heads need to prevail.

“He made the right call at the beginning of the war, and that is feeding into the domestic political debate. Voters are proactively mentioning Farage’s closeness to Trump on the doorsteps.”

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Nigel Farage says a vote for Reform is a vote to remove Starmer as PM.

The MP added: “I think Keir’s secure to the end of the year. How can you challenge the PM in the middle of an energy crisis, a war in the Middle East and a US administration coming out with bonkers statement on a daily basis?”

That analysis is not only confined to Starmer’s supporters. Even those who have long since made up their minds that the PM cannot lead Labour into the next election acknowledge that now is not the time for him to be removed.

“We’re all keen that nothing rocks the boat over the next three weeks,” an MP said. “We’re all just retreating into our own little foxholes and fighting our local battles.”

One MP said leadership hopefuls like Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting should keep their heads down until the full extent of Labour’s losses are known.

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He said: “Doing something unhelpful now decreases your chances of becoming PM. There is nothing to be gained from causing trouble now ahead of the locals.

Whatever your view on a change of leadership, if a contender starts surfacing and causes you to lose votes in your area, then you’re not going to back that contender in a ballot.”

One backbencher said Labour was currently in “the calm before the storm”.

May 7 will lead to “recriminations and backbiting”, the MP said, if not a challenge to Starmer’s position.

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He said: “A lot of people will be asking why are Reform doing so well, why are we only polling at 18%, and what is the ceiling for Green support nationally.

“MPs who lose councillors in their patch will also be very worried about their own election chances. But the message needs to be that now is the time for cool heads.”

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