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IMHO. NO fatalities. Lots of finishers, and most of those who didn’t sensibly pulled up. Fallers, human and equine, uninjured.
A fantastic and exciting spectacle, and a poke in the eye for Animal Aid. Aurora’s Encore, at 11-y-o, looked totally undistressed by his supposed "ordeal"
And what an amazing dream come true for his connections at 66/1 !! Wish I’d spotted him and had some pennies on! 
It totally upheld the theory that it is "anybody’s race" by the fact that two horses regarded as almost "no hopers" got into the first 5 placed.
I loved it. Long may it continue.
IMHO. NO fatalities. Lots of finishers, and most of those who didn’t sensibly pulled up. Fallers, human and equine, uninjured.
A fantastic and exciting spectacle, and a poke in the eye for Animal Aid. Aurora’s Encore, at 11-y-o, looked totally undistressed by his supposed "ordeal"
And what an amazing dream come true for his connections at 66/1 !! Wish I’d spotted him and had some pennies on! It totally upheld the theory that it is "anybody’s race" by the fact that two horses regarded as almost "no hopers" got into the first 5 placed.
I loved it. Long may it continue.
Totally agree with all that. It had the look and feel of a race which has struck the right balance between safety and excitement.
Mike
HERE HERE!
No fatalities to horse or serious injuries to jockeys means we may get the name of the winner on the BBC News. (Yesterday was SS mentioned???)
The start was the best for a long while
Great for Sue & Harvey Smith especially as I’m West Yorkshire also
I’m sure some of these these Animal Rights Activists will have mixed feelings about the outcome of the race
A friend who was at the course tells me that several Animal Aid protesters were barred from entering Aintree dressed in Victorian mourning clothes.
This clean and safe result was important for the future of the race, I think. After two deaths this week and two in each of the past two runnings, more fatalities would have brought much more bad press.
What a relief! Phew! You can watch the reply with a smile on your face which is a rare treat. Fantastic
theI can come out from behind the chair now and watch the highlights and enjoy good horsemanship and a brilliant race. The horses were nicely spread and nobody seemed to be in a tearing hurry, horses that tired were pulled up and those that had had enough just jocked off their mounts and trotted back to nice warm stables
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Only managed to get 2nd but all credit to the winner and Sue Smith & jockey Ryan Mania on his first National ride. Great to see the smaller yards come good on days like this…also great coverage by Channel 4.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...BBC news still had to say straight away ‘and there were no fatalities’ as if they HAD to mention the word in some way. But relieved to be able to watch it again [which I couldn’t do last year]. Although [was it just me?] I can usually follow horses throughout the race but this time I couldn’t [apart from the greys]. Probably because there were so many left in it. Think The Chair might start to cause problems with so many horses in contention at that point. [Actually Ch4 news; not sure what the BBC said]
IMHO. NO fatalities. Lots of finishers, and most of those who didn’t sensibly pulled up. Fallers, human and equine, uninjured.
A fantastic and exciting spectacle, and a poke in the eye for Animal Aid. Aurora’s Encore, at 11-y-o, looked totally undistressed by his supposed "ordeal"
And what an amazing dream come true for his connections at 66/1 !! Wish I’d spotted him and had some pennies on! It totally upheld the theory that it is "anybody’s race" by the fact that two horses regarded as almost "no hopers" got into the first 5 placed.
I loved it. Long may it continue.
Well said!
Never bet on the National but was delighted that there was no fatalities and everyone came back in one piece.
Great result for racing and hopefully the Animal Aid people will now concentrate their efforts on horse burgers as opposed to a once a year fantastic spectacle.was worried as those 2 horses veered off and one jumped the rail … but apart from that was perfect. All came back and seemed to enjoy it win or lose. Maybe those idiots who slate nh racing and the GN can go away now
I watched it with my usual mixed feelings, sense of trepidation and relief when it was all over but can report that I too quite enjoyed it and am well chuffed for the Smiths who have long been a favourite chase stable of mine
Yes, it did appear as though a good balance has been achieved with the obvious softening of the fence cores allowing horses to crash through them rather than fall over them being a wholly satisfactory modification to my eyes
I remain of the opinion that the National is essentially a hyper-chaotic event in a fairly chaotic sport, so I do hope the pleasing safe return of all was not just ‘chance’
Still, let’s not quibble and err on the pessimistic side: well done Aintree, well done horses and well done jockeys
I was there and had a superb day … the atmosphere was fantastic! The cheer as they all cleared the initial line of fences and the news that 35 were still standing as they came over the Melling Road … and the relief that ALL were OK with only 2 fallers … the riding seemed very sensible … WELL done everyone!!!
Just keep repeating the winners name … Auroras Encore … WHERE did did come from???? Compared to many of the other runners he looked very ordinary and insigificant in the paddock before the race and indeed after when he came out in front of the stands and nibbled at the grass as though he’d had no race at all today!!! But he did best of all and all credit to him and his rider – experience???? Who needs any of that???!!! I remain of the opinion that the National is essentially a hyper-chaotic event in a fairly chaotic sport, so I do hope the pleasing safe return of all was not just ‘chance’
Agreed – but was it just me that thought it was much less chaotic than in previous years? A great race today and they do seem to have found the right balance.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I remain of the opinion that the National is essentially a hyper-chaotic event in a fairly chaotic sport, so I do hope the pleasing safe return of all was not just ‘chance’
Agreed – but was it just me that thought it was much less chaotic than in previous years? A great race today and they do seem to have found the right balance.
Indeed. Mind, we were treated to the internationally-renowned savant (and BBC Indoor Bowls presenter) Rishi Persad telling us that the new procedures and start point would make no difference.
Unsurprisingly, his views were as wayward as his tipping.
Well done Aintree.
Mike
So am I the only person that feels that a little something has been lost by turning the race into what seemed to be, essentially, a 4m3.5f handicap hurdle.
So am I the only person that feels that a little something has been lost by turning the race into what seemed to be, essentially, a 4m3.5f handicap hurdle.
yes you are
im against the changes but that is totally ridiculous … those fences solid or not they have to jump
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