Cheltenham Festival 2016: No More Heroes put down after suffering severed tendon injury in RSA Chase

No More Heroes finished fourth in the RSA Chase on Wednesday but suffered a severed tendon in the closing stages of the race

No More Heroes was put down late on Wednesday night (Getty Images)

No More Heroes has been put down after suffering a severed tendon during the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday.

Having started the race as second-favourite to More Of That, No More Heroes faded towards the end of the race and, after finishing in a wayward fourth position, it quickly emerged that all was not well with the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding.

Jockey Bryan Cooper quickly dismounted and the seven-year-old was taken to the equine hospital where it was confirmed that he had struck into himself on his left fore.

It was reported that all was being done to try and save No More Heroes, but owners Gigginstown House Stud confirmed on Thursday morning that the injury proved too severe and the decision was taken to put the horse down late last night.

A Gigginstown statement read: "Unfortunately the injury to No More Heroes, having struck into himself and damaged a tendon yesterday, proved to be too significant to save him.

"Having consulted with the vets at the equine hospital, and after extensive care and assessment, it was considered that it would be in the horse's best interest that he be humanely put down, and this was carried out late last night."

RSA Chase favourite More Of That – who finished third to race winner Blaklion and second-placed Shaneshill – suffered broken blood vessels in the latter stages of the race.

The news comes after three horses – The Govaness, Pont Alexandre and Rezorbi – lost their lives on the first day of racing at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday.