Grand National fan all my life

A

absalom

At the Start
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
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Manchester
All my life I have wanted a grey horse to land the National and finally it happens with a great performance by the old warrior Neptune Collanges who helped fianally heal the heartache of his owner who had lost the mighty One Man at the meeting in the past. As a child I saw Grey Sombrero met his tragic end in 1973 and Suny Bay and Whats Up Boys run such gallent races in defeat and i hoped when a grey did win it would be rightly remembered. However it looks likely that both that great performance and a lady rider making the frame will both be overshadowed by the LETS GET IT BANNED brigade once again. According To Pete was a total injustice but a fluke injury he could have been kicked at the start or done a Grey Sombrero and got similar injury as for Sinchronised thats an any loose horse injury period on the flat gallops etc but Aintree and the National will be hit hard with it again. RSPCA already calling for Bechers changes and drop fence banning well if thats the case Bechers and the chair become water jumps minus the water increasing speed and risk even more. Maybe im alone but ENOUGH is ENOUGH the track is easier than ever speed much more so only change id make is Dodgy jumpers no prove it first in the Topham. I never expected Synchronised to get round he and Junior low jumper lucky to escape today the industry knew it why not the powers that be.
 
I would be very interested in a comparison of the fatalities at this race compared to the Welsh National. That race is run on a more suitable track, in better going and is arguably a lot more arduous.
 
Would be keen to see fatality rates comparing now and 20 years ago when they first made the alterations to the course - from what I'm told they're no different.
 
i think the flatness of the track encourages speed anyway..add to that the fences are getting less of a slow down..and tbh i think you are going to get this problem every year

I actually think one of the major problems is the field size..its that that wants reducing..not the fences

you constantly see horses getting in each others way when jumping..something i don't recall in any other race
 
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I am find it an increasingly difficult race to watch. Not that it has become more dangerous of course but simply because it is too often an ugly spectacle and finding myself less tolerant of that

I wouldnt miss it at all
 
I'm with you. I was annoyed by some of the comments on the BBC as well. Clare Balding claiming it was Paul Nicholls greatest achievement as a trainer was staggering.
 
clivex said:
I am find it an increasingly difficult race to watch. Not that it has become more dangerous of course but simply because it is too often an ugly spectacle and finding myself less tolerant of that

I wouldnt miss it at all
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my feelings as well

its not a good advert for racing imo

imo the track isn't large enough for a field that size..if you want to avoid the congestion that seems to cause the problems that get highlighted each year..field size needs reducing to 30 at least
 
I suppose she got caught up in the excitement but if I was her I wouldn't visit Kauto Star or Denman for a while.
 
EC1 said:
my feelings as well

its not a good advert for racing imo

imo the track isn't large enough for a field that size..if you want to avoid the congestion that seems to cause the problems that get highlighted each year..field size needs reducing to 30 at least
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Totally agree. The argument for a maximum of 40 is that it's a very wide track, but that's specious as hardly any go out wide. You were also correct to draw attention to the number either interfered with or brought down. The only relatively safe place is out in front and it seems to me that very few make an impact from far back these days.

I don't agree with those saying the fences are now too low - if they were higher they'd still fly at them like bats out of hell, merely increasing the carnage. As I said on another thread, the run to the first needs shortening and as EC1 says, I'd restrict the field to 30.

I'd then stop playing about with it every year and being driven into an ever smaller corner by the anti lobby.
 
Good points VVO and EC. Is it me or do they run more bunched up these days too?

We take falling as a part of racing of course but is it really right to have a race where the emphasis is much on simply staying on your feet or avoiding trouble?
 
I'm all for the race-x amount of horses will die but that's the nature of the beast.If the RSPCA get their way with the National they will set their sights on all chasing followed by hurdling.
 
I've seen horses die on cold and wet Sunday afternoons on the point to point field,absolutely knackered -asked to go faster then their limited ability can manage.
I also know that the nearest abattoir that specialises in horseflesh is flat out.These animals are generally well looked after and get the best of everything.Mark Prescott makes a case about working animals and how an urban society finds it distasteful.
 
I think it's something connections know when they enter the race, it's little better (and today worse) than a 50% completion rate and even the connections of today's winner admitted it had 'split the family', deciding to run.

I enjoy the idea of the race and the way its revered as an event by the nation, but like some others do find the first half when much of the damage is done, increasingly uncomfortable to watch.
 
Maybe sentimental but will never forget those ten mintues of Syncronised running loose and having the eyes of a nation and world upon him. He was a star, and both the people and history books will remember him fondly. Today was the day horse racing fans lost a Gold Cup winner: These animals are the martyrs of the game, and worthy of just as much praise as those that cross the line in first place. Rest in peace fella, this one wasn't meant to be.
 
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Hearing that Chicago Grey had a heart attack following the race, not sure if this is accurate news.
 
Steve T said:
but like some others do find the first half when much of the damage is done, increasingly uncomfortable to watch.
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Harping back to field size again..but this is it in a nutshell Steve..the race is a nightmare on the first circuit..but not the second..for the simple reason that by the 2nd circuit at least 10/15 of the field are not in the race.

its really obvious there are to many in the race to start with

its silly making the race have better class horses..when they will end up in the same place ...on the floor...as a plater when they land on top of fallen horses and jockeys

i wonder how long it will take for them to alter the easiest thing to make the race safer..they've spent years changing the course..changing the qualifying criterion..but missed the real cause of the problem with the race
 
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Think Henrietta Knight said it best after the death of Best Mate:

"It's probably harder for the people watching who aren't close to horses. Horses have to go. We all have to go, but it's tragic for connections.

"Dick Hern, a great man, once said to me that there is livestock and there is 'deadstock', and although it's not a nice thing to say, it's true."

That said, I still can't understand why experienced jockeys persist in charging at the first as though they're appearing in their first Hunt Cup.
 
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