have mentioned anything about the Grand National on here. And do you think that the changes have been made actually worked, cant watch the race over here but was reading BBC and sounds like it was a good race, no fatalities and no serious injuries
The course/meet has claimed two more lives this year, so what are you trying to prove? I read the start was very brisk and they were not held for too long which is a positive thing.
not trying toprove anything. i am interested in why people just bring the deaths thing up during the national. at catterick on 26,feb 3 horses were destroyed why wasnt anything mentioned then same as at Doncaster on the 4th feb 2 horses destroyed.
What I can't understand in this Grand National debate is that this race is over 170 years old and is a steeplechase. It's a test for the horse and jockey.......by simplifying the course you make the test easier........ultimately you end up with a flat race? Nobody is forced to enter a horse, quite the opposite, as owners and trainers love to see their horses run in this global-famed race. It's their choice to enter a runner.......and accelerate risks that go with it.
I'm no expert in horse racing......but the jockey that won the race said on his interview that the horse "loved the circuit". As for the horse having a choice, when any jockeys were dismounted, there were plenty of horses still running the course suggesting they were still enjoying it (more to do with training I expect). For sake of future debate......I am definitely NOT a "do gooder".
To be fair, a horse is often aware there are 30 more running directly behind it at high speed. It's choices are fairly limited when it's swept a long in the pack. Synchronised didn't even want to run at all last year. Didn't even want a jockey on it's back.
So you class people concerned with animal welfare as do-gooders? With "do-gooders" meant in a derogatory manner, you need to have a word with yourself.
Mark, you're one of my favourite posters on here, by a long way, but would you jump if you were being whipped by midget?
This debate is getting really tiresome. Many are pro National, many anti National. That's how it is. I don't agree, but I respect Mr C's views and he's argued his point over the last week or so quite passionately. Lets celebrate a good point instead.
I'm not saying you're wrong - but whats the explanation as to why the loose horses keep jumping the fences too if they don't enjoy it. I can see they might just be caught up in the stampede, but if "choice" is appropriate surely they can choose to stop running and go eat some grass or something more soothing.