“We need to get back to 4 miles, 4 furlongs and a few yards and fences should be harder. ”
While I think those days are gone forever, I agree that’s the difference. Just So wouldn’t have a chance to catch up now- particularly since connections are prepared to risk graded horses. Imagine him in the past couple of Nationals against I Am Maximus et al. He’d have been negotiating the last while the front few were well past the Elbow. Red Marauder wouldn’t win either- the ground would be declared unraceable and the race postponed.