The first day of the Chester May Festival was marred by a horrifying incident when Charlie Appleby’s impressive Chester Vase winner Hidden Law sadly lost his life after breaking down past the line.

The talented son of Dubawi built on a pleasing debut effort at Southwell when a wide-margin winner at Newbury and Charlie Appleby's colt looked set for the very top after spread-eagling the field in the Chester Vase Epsom Derby Trial under William Buick on Wednesday.

However, after galloping over the road crossing past the line, Hidden Law suffered what was described as a 'very freak accident' by his trainer Charlie Appleby and despite the very best medical attention on the course, he was unable to be saved.

Appleby said: "He's crossed the road there and just put a false step in."

"It's just the force of it coming down on the false step basically. One of those very freak accidents."

"We can only go on what we've seen and unfortunately, we won't see anything for the future.

"It's very disappointing, most importantly I'm very sorry for His Sheikh Highness and as always team Godolphin. To have a horse like him potentially coming through the ranks was exciting."

"I have to thank everybody here at the course, they've been very accommodating and were speedy with what they did. I feel very sorry for Wayne the groom and all the staff back at Moulton Paddocks who have done so much with him."

"It's a sad day and I can really say no more."

William Buick walked away unscathed from the incident but was understandably shaken up.