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And in all that time, all they’ve done is filled in a couple of ditches
Yeah, Beechers ‘brook’ is now just ‘Beechers’ and the Chair is more like a chaise longue. The two fences that make the National ‘THE National’ are shadows of their former selves.
A couple of changes that change the race beyond recognition.Anyone who thinks the National is ‘just another race’ should go and stand on the approach side of The Chair. You will be silenced: Nap
Aintree needs a media partner that is committed to racing and has a comprehensive overview of the risks in televising the sport, got through screening the sport week in week out.
That organisation is no longer the BBC. C4 handled the Newbury incident very sympathetically and I feel they would be a much more effective partner for the National now.
And I also agree with Pinza and others general premise that racing must win the argument with evidence, not by letting the naysayers chip away at what is unique about Aintree.
For better or worse the National is not the race it was in the past, in terms of the fences it has changed beyond all recognition in the time I have been watching it to the extent that for me it has moved from being a special race to a novelty contest.
As has been previously stated the biggest problem is speed and that needs to be addressed by a) ensuring the ground is on the soft side of good, b)reducing the distance to the first fence either by physically moving it, which may not be practical or by shortening the race distance and starting just after the Melling Road and c) reduce the field size to alleviate the jostling for position giving horses and riders better sight of the fences.
Paul’s post above just about sums up my thoughts on what should be done.
Combination of speed and firmness of ground makes a fall more dangerous. Softer ground means less speed so more watering is a no brainer.
Again, a reduction in distance before the first means less speed. However, this will have to come hand in hand with reduced field size. The arguement for 40 runners is based on the width of course. But three of the fences are on a turn. Can only remember one horse who took the outer of Foinavon and that was Foinavon. All jockeys use the inner of the Canal Turn, 40 (or however many are left running) using around 3 horse widths of fence is asking for trouble.
Have mixed feelings about the proposed filling in of the drop at Bechers. Do agree with abolishing drop fences. However, making the fence easier will no doubt mean jockeys taking the race even faster (speed kills). And more runners will go towards the inner to save ground. So (sorry Reet) the course will probably favour prominent runners even more than it does now.
Oh, and my opinions are mine, I don’t alter them to appease Animal Aid.
Value Is Everything
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