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A day after Friday’s 4:05pm 2m4f Novice Chase was run in near darkness (two horses fell, the winner completely missed a fence), Saturday’s 3m Novice Chase is scheduled to be run at 4:10pm.
What is it going to take for the BHA to realise they are running the risk of killing animals?
Stuff the new whip rules, I don’t see any rule that allows Cats Eyes to be installed round Prestbury Park, do you?
As I’ve said previously, a NH Flat race run at this time is just about ok, but a Novice Chase, making ‘babies’ jump 16 obstacles (or whatever it is) in near darkness is absolutely ridiculous. What is it going to take for the BHA to take note, a death?
Absolutely livid that horses and jockey’s lives are being put at risk by such idiotic sheduling.
I agree with you OneEye.
Novice / Beginners chases should be arranged to give inexperienced horses the best chance of successfully completing.
That is clearly not the case when they are held at the end of a days racing. This again is another opportunity of racing seizing the opportunity to shoot itself in the foot.It’s all about entries. The trainer is responsible for the horse.If you don’t like the conditions don’t enter the horse.The track will get the message.
It’s all about entries. The trainer is responsible for the horse.If you don’t like the conditions don’t enter the horse.The track will get the message.
What if the race in question is the only suitable opportunity for the horse. Such as in these instances, horses who will be targeted for races at the Cheltenham festival?
Agree with OP here.
I have just seen that on Becher Chase day, 1st December, the Grand Sefton is the last race on a 7 race card, due off at 3.25.
If it is a wet afternoon the horses will be asked to tackle the National fences in the semi dark.
At a time when the safety of the National fences is under more scrutiny than ever this is crazy.
No doubt it has been done for the benefit of the TV but, ironically, it is the TV audience that will crucify us if anything goes wrong.
another point is that if theres frost about then can aintree cover the whole of the national course.
i was at cheltenham on friday and it was very gloomy but if seen worse but i do remember many years ago when travado ,trained by nicky henderson fell in the last race on mackeson day run at 4.10 and he blamed the very bad light that day
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No doubt it has been done for the benefit of the TV but, ironically, it is the TV audience that will crucify us if anything goes wrong.
Just to put you at (something like) ease, one of the revelations to come out of the dreaded "whip debate" has been the
fact
that only a tiny number of letters or emails, relative to viewing figures, are received by the BBC.
The total number BBC received after the notorious 2011 Grand National was 200. Yes, that’s all, and from an audience of many millions. This number of complaints is negligible – Radio 3 got more than that when they altered the format of their early morning Breakfast Classics format slightly a couple of months ago. Though of course the Racing figures are "bigged up" and exaggerated by the tabloid press and – of course –
David Muir
of the
RSPCA
.
So the reality is more fortunate. There will be no "crucifixion", for sure.
Having been at Huntingdon last week, when it was nearly dark at 3.30, I agree that running over the National fences at that time is unwise. Horse (and jockey) safety should be paramount.
One-eye is absolutely right. It would be bad enough experienced horses being asked to tackle fences in those conditions, but to expect it of novices (or, as he correctly stated, "babies") is verging on cruelty.
What’s the matter with the people who organise these matters? Do they not want to start racing earlier in case it interferes with their late morning G & T? Pull yourselves together! As if NH jumps racing has not got enough trouble with bad press!
I have just noticed that Haydock today features a NH flat race at 1.20, while putting off a 3 mile chase til 3.40pm.
For ***** sake! WHY!!!!!!!!!
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