CROSS country specialist Balthazar King is one of the most popular horses in training and many in the packed stands were worried following his crashing fall in the big one. It is to be hoped his broken ribs will respond to expert treatment.

Earlier in the day Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson had known a happier moment as 10-year-old Duke Of Lucca, who missed the National cut by two, just got home in a three-way battle with Your Busy and Wonderful Charm in the Listed Betfred Handicap Chase over three miles and a furlong on the Mildmay Course.