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The a lot of the National is not what it was when I was a kid, Yeats. But what was it that made it special to you back then, and what’s changed since. Is it just a case of rose coloured spectacles.
You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.Whoever suggested water stations around the track to cool horses that don’t make it to the finish, that’s a great idea.
Probably only really relevant on the very warm days and it might be a bit hard to have actually stations dotted around given the amount of water a horse would require.
Ideally you would probably need some sort of mobile unit instead (maybe a truck with a large water tank or similar container on board with hose attachments) that could follow behind the other support/camera vehicles on the inside of the track?
I think it was special because so many people watched it and it was the only day in the year when many people had a bet. Now it’s best not to mention it to many people. I think even the Melbourne Cup might be heading in the same direction.
My initial thought was why run 13 yo 125/1 shot , 13s just dont win it nowdays , however looking at the form its decent , off a spell this time into the meeting but not a crazy entry .
I think racing has done a very good job on the race , i feel bit for jockey if he thinks right jog around and hope prize for 10th or something , in all likelihood horse retire end season . Not many horses collapse , he will cop a bit which imho is bit harsh . Soumillon flogging crap out of Thunder Snow in BC Classic worse in my opinion .
Iam glad the old Beechers gone , it always seemed unfair the drop , for me i am enjoying the GN again and ive watched plenty .
Racing needs to hold firm on this one .RedRum77. The race I grew up with had drama, unpredictably, bravery. We could all see the ultimate challenge for what it was. The level of anticipation on the day itself and before the start. The take your breath away moments as you sat spellbound in front of the TV. The number of these magnificent beasts charging like the cavalry from some bygone era, the colours, the sound. The stories that tugged at your heart. Yes there was tragedy too. That was the Grand National when I was growing up. What we have now is a very poor imitation of the race to fit in with the sensitivities of the 21st Century. To be honest I wouldn’t be bothered now if they never ran it again.
“How about adding another pre qualifying rule that you’ve finished a race over 4 miles.”
That would take a lot of the horses out of the equation as they are unexposed over the longer trip. Very few 4 mile races in Ireland as far as I am aware.
“What we have now is a very poor imitation of the race to fit in with the sensitivities of the 21st Century. To be honest I wouldn’t be bothered now if they never ran it again.”
One of the Bar Stewards made the same point in their discussion of the race, which takes up most of the first half of last Sunday’s podcast.
Some strong language as usual from this crowd.
Too late now but was there any actual evidence (outside of the perception brigade constantly shouting the loudest) to show that if the BHA had actual shown a backbone and defended their position and not made any changes at all to the fences that the race would have been abandoned or as I suspect, would it have just continued on as before?
I very much doubt that viewing figures have increased due to the public now knowing that the fences have been made much safer than in the past and as a result more are tuning in to watch the race than before. The people who watched the race (be it in person at the course or on tv) prior to alterations being made would for the most part have continued watching probably in the same numbers simply because they accept the risk involved but still view it as a great one off sporting event that was the ultimate jumping test of a racehorse, where there was also the real potential romance of the little guy having a fighting chance of taking on the big boys and causing an upset by beating them.
Then there is the people that complain about it being cruel who either wouldn’t watch the race due to their objections in the first place and/or are just perverse enough to tune in for that one day every year to watch the race in the hope that something bad happens which (in their mind) justifies their whole stance/objections about the race.
Those same people that complain about the race being cruel etc etc will continue to complain about it regardless of what actions are (or are not) taken and they will only stop complaining when the race is permanently banned and then they will simply redirect their attention to complaining about horse racing in general being cruel and will then continue complaining about that until their ultimate aim of all horse racing being permanently banned is achieved.
Your average Joe will see the race as being no different to what it was 20 years ago. I’m of the same opinion that it wouldn’t bother me if they scrapped the race it has never held much interest to me.
The more I know the less I understand.
It’s not the race it was, more in line with the other Nationals as being ‘a handicap with a sizeable field’.
I still like talking about it and I wouldn’t want it scrapped just because it has changed.REFUSE TO BEND SAYS
I’m of the same opinion that it wouldn’t bother me if they scrapped the race it has never held much interest to me.
This race more than any other throws up the occasional fairy story like Bob Champion in 81 and this one for Sadie Andrews the owner of Nick Rockett who died of cancer before Saturday’s race having their dreams fulfilled and giving them a little ray of sunshine. In Sadie’s case that would be Stewart Andrews the widower of Sadie.
You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.I believe prior to the Grand National the longest race Celebre D’Allen had run in was the Becher Chase over 3m 2f. He finished 4th out of 5 finishers and was described by the in running comments as weakening on the run in.
Ideal for running over 4m 2f, then.
I’m sure there are plenty of races which can have fairy tales attached to them but I’m none too sentimental.
“Other Nationals” there at least 14 of them most of them regional so not sure how that makes them national.The more I know the less I understand.
“I believe prior to the Grand National the longest race Celebre D’Allen had run in was the Becher Chase over 3m 2f. He finished 4th out of 5 finishers and was described by the in running comments as weakening on the run in.
Ideal for running over 4m 2f, then”.
It didn’t just say that he weakened in the run in. It also said he ‘ finished tired’. I’m not sure that I’ve noticed that sort of comment before but perhaps I haven’t been looking for it. I think he was a horse who gave his all in his races which is why it is so sad that his genuineness resulted in his untimely death. If he was the sort of horse that ‘ saved a bit for himself’ he would still be here.I decided to allow myself a few days of reading and reflecting before contributing to any discussions on the Grand National and having read I had originally planned a lengthy monologue of reflections from Saturday and thoughts going forward with regards to the great race, however it became clear to me this afternoon that I have been putting it off, like a difficult conversation. So instead I will compare the race to that pig in an episode of the Simpsons where Lisa becomes a vegetarian. I will post a link below.
Pig = The Grand National
Homer = The racing media and Aintree
Bart = The racing public
Lisa = I’ll leave that up to youBased on discussions here and elsewhere it feels like we’re just waiting for a Bart to say their line. Which breaks my heart.
“It didn’t just say that he weakened in the run in. It also said he ‘finished tired'”.
Which makes it even worse, of course.
I respect some people disagree but in my opinion a 13 year old with no form to suggest he would stay the distance and rated by the market as having a lower than 1% chance of winning was not a realistic contender.
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