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The verdict is that the National has taken one for the team! It’s about the fences and not the field size. Safety considerations just a little overdone. Post race ITV hype all rang a bit hollow for me.
I was against the 40 going down to 34, though in all honesty I didn’t really notice that there were 32 runners rather than 40 today. This was probably helped by there being so few fallers!
I’ve also been more persuaded by some of the reasoning given this week. In particular that it was decided upon due to there being more bunching on the inside now due to the fences being easier. I know some people will say that these other changes should not have happened, but they were unavoidable.
I really enjoyed today’s race and do not want to see lots of falls. The fences still offer a challenge; there were loads of mistakes made even if few horses and jockeys parted company.
I think it has become quite difficult to fall at the National fences now. Only one horse and jockey parted company in the Topham and that was caused by the horse taking off about two strides early at the Chair. It looked like Mahler Mission did something similar today.
Did anything actually fall in the National or were they all unseated rider/brought down? The only faller I spotted was poor old Corach Rambler when he was running loose.
Corach Rambler was the only faller today CAS, when running loose at the second. I’m surprised he was being ridden so prominently at the first when he unseated; his biggest wins have all come being ridden patiently from behind. Including Corach, there were four unseats today.
Thursday’s Hunter Chase had two falls and three unseats. Both of the falls were at the Chair.
Friday’s Topham had just the one unseat (Bill Baxter, again at the Chair).Maybe they’ll turn the Chair into a Bench to try and eliminate that.
The things I want most in life are the things that I can't win.
I was there on Thursday and saw the two falls at the Chair.
If my maths is right, 66 Grand National fences were jumped during the 3 days with only 2 fallers – and they were in an amateur riders race where the quality of the jockeys is not as high as in the other two races. It was also at a fence with a large ditch in front, which might encourage horses to take off too soon.
There were no fallers at all at the plain fences. They are probably softer than the fences on some park courses, so it would take a very poor jump to fall at them nowadays.
I think they had perfect jumping ground over the three days. It wasn’t too fast, otherwise you would have had more fallers due to the higher speeds. I wouldn’t be too disappointed about the low number of fallers, the races are contested by much better horses now who are proven jumpers and can stay extreme distances. Just look at the form the first ten in The GN hat to offer. Very few falls or unseats, horses from high-profile stables and four Grade 1 winners among them plus more quality horses in the line-up.
This is where the changes were supposed to bring the National to and I think they were okay. Let’s see what happens in future years and not be disappointed about the fact that there were no fatalities over the GN course.
I am not disappointed by a lack of fallers, just pointing out how different the race is now. Previously you had to back a good jumper in the National. It is still an advantage but maybe not as essential as it once was.
Would Tiger Roll or I Am Maximus have won an old National? Probably not.
I also think it will pay to focus on the front of the market in future. The last two favourites have won. OK, that is not enough to represent a long term trend but I have a feeling that the modern race will lend itself more to quality rising to the top.
It is not that the standard of jumping is improving, ERL.
There were more poor jumpers in the line up than I can remember for a long time.
I Am Maximus, Foxy Jacks, Farouk D’Alene and Chemical Energy are all pretty poor, all make quite a lot of mistakes over conventional fences, even if not always falling.Value Is EverythingI know what you’re saying, Cork. But were winners like Miinehoma (made that terrible mistake at Bechers) or Hedgehunter (fell at the last the previous year and made two terrible mistakes when he won it in 2005) better jumpers than I Am Maximus?. I mean this year’s winner is a highly versatile horse. Can win over 2m5f, over 3m5f and over 4m2f, could you say that about most of the past winners, too?
Mark, I think horses have improved their jumping markedly in the past 8-10 years. Could be the “French” factor which provides us with better trained/prepared horses.
The race has changed. Regardless of whether we think it’s a good or bad thing, it’s a fact and we’re not going back. I think this was the best National we’ve seen for a while and much of its appeal is because so many remained competitive jumping the last. In the past the race would be over, or between 2 runners by that point.
Just like any other race, the overwhelming attribute a horse needs to win or even place is to be well handicapped. Whether that’s being dropped by the handicapper or an improver defying a weight rise.
However, it is not a choice of whether to make changes or carry on with the old…
It is a case of change or probably have no race at all.
Value Is EverythingThe first four home all carried over 11st, the lightest weight to get in kitty’s light being 5th
Let’s hope no more changes are made as bechers is just like any of the other fences with some people saying valentines looked bigger
VF x
Doesn’t matter what we think the public saw no fatalities that is what matters. Spoke to my mother tonight who has zero interest in it and her first question, how many died. That is the public perception and no matter how many times I explain racing as a whole regarding fatalities the public as a majority base it on one event.
The things I want most in life are the things that I can't win.
This is what Ruby said and I fully echo his views:
Speaking on ITV, Ruby Walsh said: “It all looked to be a success. I know I enjoyed watching the race and it was a great showpiece for the sport. It’s how we advertise what we have and if that doesn’t convince people that it’s a wonderful sport, I’m not sure what will.”
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