- This topic has 323 replies, 60 voices, and was last updated 1 year ago by
.
- Posts
I expect any attempt to limit numbers would be open to legal challenge.
O’Brien has often gone mob handed into the Derby. On two occasions he has won it with something like his fifth or sixth choice, if jockey bookings are any guide (Wings Of Eagles and Serpentine).
An owner could argue the BHA is denying them a winning chance for no good reason. And I very much doubt the BHA would have the desire to potentially anger Messrs Mullins, Elliott, McManus or O’Leary.
Without wanting to retread old ground; but is there scope for “win and you’re in” races? Surely that would go some way to increasing the British contingent while also increasing the competetiveness of said races? It seems a shame that none of the most recent winners of such valuable handicaps as the Sodexco Gold Cup (is it still called that?), Badger Beer, Becher Chase (granted it wasn’t run this season), Rowland Meyrick, Welsh National, Classic Chase, Peter Marsh, Great Yorkshire Chase, Grand National Trial, Racing Post Chase, Eider, Freebooter or Scottish National are going to line up in this year’s Grand National.
They could run off the same weight as number 34 if their mark is too low to get in? So you could potentially run “out of the handicap”.
Then again that starts to veer into “qualification” territory. I’ve listed 13 examples, but there are plenty more. Doesn’t leave much room for those who have earned the mark to run in the race to begin with, but haven’t won a “recognised trial” race.
I dunno. It’s difficult.
I personally think the first port of call should be to decrease the prize money. Does the Grand National really need to be a million pound race?
“Why would you have such ridiculous restrictions for just the one race as though it is special? It used to be but is now a farce”.
You answer your own question, Yeats.
The race is no longer “special”, so something needs to be done in order to try and make it special again.No matter how you might wish to make the race more dangerous for horses, Yeats. You might want more horses to die (which is how a return would be seen). It cannot happen. We cannot turn the clock back. If we did the Grand National would simply not exist.
Therefore, what can we possibly do now to make the race more appealing for the general public?
Whether you or I like it or not; the Irish domination is a turn off for even British racing enthusiasts, let alone the British general public… And is also a turn off for potential owners. The dream many owners have – the reason many get involved – is to win the Grand National. Less so now, when the field is dominated by just a few owners and trainers.
I’m just trying to come up with some ideas of what might rekindle some enthusiasm of both the general public and prospective owners – instead of burying my head in the turf.
Value Is EverythingAgree about the prize money. In fact, I believe it is one of the main issues with the race now. It is turning it into something it shouldn’t be. It is a handicap but is now attracting borderline Gold Cup horses and making it of more interest to the big stables.
A large part of the Grand National’s appeal was due to it being a chance for a smaller stable to scoop a decent prize, get a bit of attention and maybe with an interesting back story for the media. Now with the increased prize money and the reduction in the field size, those sort of stables are going to find it a struggle just to get a horse into the race.
If the race is going to be dominated by Irish millionaires, I can only see its appeal to a British audience diminishing over time.
“No matter how you might wish to make the race more dangerous for horses, Yeats. You might want more horses to die (which is how a return would be seen). It cannot happen. We cannot turn the clock back. If we did the Grand National would simply not exist.”
That is not what Yeats was suggesting, Ginger.
I do think “win and you’re in” races are a good idea, Peter. I’ve changed my opinion on that.
Maybe have a minimum weight of 10 stone to get into the race.
Don’t think there should be too many though. Maybe 5 or 6. Winners of many of the races you quote just won’t get in.Value Is EverythingI know it is not what Yeats was suggesting, CAS.
But the point is it is how going back to how the race once was, would be seen by the non-racing public.Value Is EverythingI’ve never been interested in the race, one of the worst televised Saturday’s in the NH season. The general public don’t care if the horse comes from the UK, Ireland or Timbuktu they just generally pick a name.
The more I know the less I understand.
The Grand National is a Marmite kind of race, you either love it or hate it.
Anne Grosvenor, Duchess of Westminster the owner of Arkle in the 60’s hated the race and never even considered the race for Arkle.
Noel Le Mare the owner of Red Rum loved the race as a lad, and eventually had the best and well known horse of all time in the race.
REFUSE TO BEND says
The general public don’t care if the horse comes from the UK, Ireland or Timbuktu they just generally pick a name.
Chezza (AKA) Ian Davis had the same opinion and I do too. The horses in the race should stand on there own merit and not trying to get British trained Horses or even English trained Horses into the race for the sake of it. It’s very Xenophobic, which also goes for Cheltenham.
KENDICATE says
The race is such a farce these days. Wish they would just stop running it.
Which is what Animal rites people want, then the same for horse racing in general. Then maybe keeping them as pets. This is the truth about banning the National.
You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.It seems now I’m “very xenophobic”.
Britain is losing owners.
When British trained horses have little chance of getting into THE race most British owners want to win… Then it is bound to add to that exodus.If you’re happy with the standard of British Racing being terminally on the decline – then fair enough.
Value Is EverythingMy main bet so far is definitely Perceval Legallois at 25-1, but I agree with those already on Broadway Bay, and I’ve taken 66-1 before it disappeared completely
Added another one (Perceval)…
Intense Raffles 25-1 ew 5 places
Minella Cocooner 25-1 ew 5 places
Iroko 25-1 ew 5 places
Inothewayurthinkin 10-1 free bet
Perceval Legallois 20-1 free bet
Nick Rockett 20-1 free bet
Stumptown 20-1 free bet
Kandoo Kid 25-1 free bet
Beauport 33-1 free bet
Gentlemansgame 50-1 free betMake the qualification order for the race based on the amount of prize-money won in handicaps (but have them race off their current handicap mark). This will favour the traditional, experienced National types at the expense of inexperienced horses, and also encourage trainers to run their horses more often in the big handicaps, which could do with a boost to their field size and competitivness.
More often or less often, Kifill?
Doubt any Grand National horse would run on their merits at all through the whole season including February to April – even at Cheltenham – once they’ve won plenty of money. Indeed it may well reduce both quality and numbers of runners in the Cheltenham staying races (handicaps and the Gold Cup) if the Grand National was off their current marks.Value Is Everything
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.