2 horses die at Aintree Festival (The Associated Press)

Two horses died after being pulled up in a somber start to the Aintree Festival on Thursday. Clonbanan Lad and Marasonnien died after being pulled up by their jockeys in the Fox Hunters’ Chase, and later collapsing, the British Horseracing Authority said. Equine safety is brought into sharp focus at Aintree because of the feared fences used in the Grand National Steeplechase, the world’s most gruelling horse race.