HAYDOCK HORROR
Haydock horror as racehorse trainer Richard Hannon’s plane crashes into empty aircraft at the racecourse
In torrid weather conditions the plane skidded on the runway as it landed at Haydock racecourse
TOP TRAINER Richard Hannon had a miracle escape after his plane crashed at Haydock racecourse on Saturday.
The plane he was travelling in skidded on a soaked landing strip at the track before it clipped wings with an empty aircraft.
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Hannon was one of four passengers on the plane alongside his twin brother, apprentice jockey Gary Mahon and trainer Andrew Balding's wife Anna Lisa.
There had been heavy rainfall at Haydock in the lead-up to the big Group 1 Sprint Cup, the feature race on Saturday afternoon.
The 42-year-old, who earlier this season trained Billesdon Brook to win the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, was relieved that no-one suffered any injuries in the horror collision.
Hannon told the Racing Post: "It was horrible. The runway wasn't suitable – we slipped and skidded. But we're all okay and that's the most important thing."
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Haydock clerk of the course Kirkland Tellwright confirmed the runway had been closed and that no aircraft would be able to land or take off.
That decision, along with persistent bad weather in the Haydock area, meant Frankie Dettori was forced to abandon his helicopter trip from Kempton to ride James Garfield in the Sprint Cup.
Dettori had been due to partner the George Scott-trained colt in the £300,000 Group 1 but was left stranded by the treacherous conditions.
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Tellwright said: "The bigger plane coming in skidded on landing, apparently spun and clipped the smaller plane.
"No one was hurt, but neither plane will be flying today.
"Frankie has been replaced. Richard Kingscote is riding the horse now."
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