Addition to the racing program at Aintree

Diamond Geezer

Diamond Geezer

Gone But Not Forgotten
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From AFR

Just days before this year’s Grand National meeting at Aintree, news has emerged from the BHA that a 4m handicap hurdle race may be introduced into the program at Aintree’s 2016 Grand National meeting. A spokesman said that “Whilst the slower older type chasers have long distance chases and mini nationals around the country, there are still many older horses which are technically better at hurdling who never have the chance to take part in long distance hurdle races merely because they do not exist. We aim to put that right on Grand National Day in 2016 when hopefully a good class field will make history racing over four miles on the Park Course. Consultations are planned with representatives of the Racehorse Owners Association and National Trainers Federation during the Summer, whilst conditions of any potential race are still to be framed and two Senior Handicappers have secretly been working during the current season to gauge how many horses might realistically have qualified for such a race based on various criteria.”

It is understood that a sponsor for the new race has already been lined up.
 
Sounds a bit of a clumsy one to me (albeit I have occasionally, genuinely wondered about this with all the talk about a 5 day festival) I kind of concluded it would bore the pants off specatators though, but doesn't the London Marathon already do that. Perhaps fancy dress is the answer
 
It's why I described it as "a bit of a clumsy one" (as it wasn't difficult to spot) and did of course say that I'd "genuinely" (as opposed to this story which clearly wasn't) considered this previously though - not to worry
 
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