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..getting rather desperate although I agree with some, but not the race shortening. This is no longer the Grand National.
…this BHA/RSPCA confrontation is beginning to remind me of the Phil Woolas/Joanna Lumley cave in, where there was only ever going to be one winner…
..getting rather desperate although I agree with some, but not the race shortening. This is no longer the Grand National.
Of course it’s still the Grand National. Shortening the race by 1/2f doesn’t change that. If the start has had to be moved, which is a sensible thing, then the race had to shortened by some degree.
I picked up a copy of Vian Smith’s book in my local hospice shop on Tuesday. Tinkering with the course was commonplace for the first 50 years of the race, it meet with the same degree of disgruntlement by the traditionalists and animal welfare groups then as now.
That’s the book I’ve just bought [mainly for the wonderful photo of Easter Hero]. SPCA [not yet Royal] wanted the race banned right from the start.
There have been more deaths in the last 22 years than there were in the 80’s, 70’s, 60’s when the fences and fields were bigger. Ever since 1990 when they really started going to work on "cushioning" the course; they have not only reduced the fences; they have simultaneously reduced the respect shown to the course.
I’m too tired to even get mad at these constant changes.
I’ve always loved the spectacle that the GN is, however I think field sports in general could be described as having a glass jaw morally under public scrutiny. It seems inevitable that changes will need to be made.
I’m surprised that the maximum size of field has not seen a little more radical reduction. This does appear on the face of it to be one of the main reasons there have been historically large numbers of falling horses, at least in the early stages of the race.
I picked up a copy of Vian Smith’s book in my local hospice shop on Tuesday. Tinkering with the course was commonplace for the first 50 years of the race, it meet with the same degree of disgruntlement by the traditionalists and animal welfare groups then as now.
For the first five years (from Lottery onwards) they had to jump a brick wall, around where the water jump is now.
There have been more deaths in the last 22 years than there were in the 80’s, 70’s, 60’s when the fences and fields were bigger. Ever since 1990 when they really started going to work on "cushioning" the course; they have not only reduced the fences; they have simultaneously reduced the respect shown to the course.
I’m too tired to even get mad at these constant changes.
This lack of respect must ultimately been down to the ignorance of the jockeys. It is the behaviour of these persons that causes most distress to the general public.
I can’t be bothered tracking down the exact figures but the jockey’s share of first prize I would estimate at least £50k. Consider only the top 3/4 jockeys are on rock star wages and that pot, plus the prestige of winning the GN, are primary reasons why "journeyman" jocks are willing to take a risk or two.
You can blame the jocks for going too fast but you have got to look at the underlying reasons why they do so.
Moving the start further down wont help it will if anything make it even worse as jocekys will be jostling for positions and even more fallers could happen which will just add more fuel to the fire.
Best thing i would do is to add a new fence just after the Melling Road which may help but their is really nothing wrong with the current set up although a few tweaks do need to be done.
One thing that could be done is to stick a divide rail at the start so the runners can line up in two groups of 20 runners either in random order or racecard order to keep the huge pack apart which could then converge after the tapes go up after about 10-15 yards.
The start will always be a problem but jockeys must take some flack as they are responsible and should always adhere to the instructions of the starter who has full control and should be able to his job completely
As for the fences they will always be tricky but that is nature of the test, maybe replacing the timber could help but horses should have to jump as that is the nature of jump racing.
Also i would get a local hunt in to act as catchers located around the course at particular parts to help with any loose horses that dont follow the pack.
Safety should always come first but it must be balanced with keeping it a test of horse and not pander to people who only watch one race a year.
Moving the start further down wont help it will if anything make it even worse as jocekys will be jostling for positions and even more fallers could happen which will just add more fuel to the fire.
Best thing i would do is to add a new fence just after the Melling Road which may help but their is really nothing wrong with the current set up although a few tweaks do need to be done.
One thing that could be done is to stick a divide rail at the start so the runners can line up in two groups of 20 runners either in random order or racecard order to keep the huge pack apart which could then converge after the tapes go up after about 10-15 yards.
The start will always be a problem but jockeys must take some flack as they are responsible and should always adhere to the instructions of the starter who has full control and should be able to his job completely
As for the fences they will always be tricky but that is nature of the test, maybe replacing the timber could help but horses should have to jump as that is the nature of jump racing.
Also i would get a local hunt in to act as catchers located around the course at particular parts to help with any loose horses that dont follow the pack.
Safety should always come first but it must be balanced with keeping it a test of horse and not pander to people who only watch one race a year.
If the key objective in moving the start is to get the horses away from the main stands area, they’d have been better lengthening the race by 3 furlongs.
That would also give them much longer to settle and get sorted out before the first as well as encouraging a generally slower pace throughout.
If the key objective in moving the start is to get the horses away from the main stands area, they’d have been better lengthening the race by 3 furlongs.
That would also give them much longer to settle and get sorted out before the first as well as encouraging a generally slower pace throughout.
You’re joking I hope?
With 40 horses going hell for leather trying to get a good position for a sharp bend that’s
more
than a 90 degree turn. Doesn’t sound much like "encouraging a slower pace" to me. Some slipping, some going wide and losing a lot of ground… No jockey could afford to give away ground by going the wide route to the first, so you’ll have even more conjestion for the first fence.
This new start could work, cutting down time to get to the first may well mean horses taking the fence at a slower pace. Though it may not be reduced enough for that… And there’s still 40 horses to get a clear run at the fence.
Value Is EverythingLots of more changes after lots of changes last year.
When are the BHA going to grow a pair?
If the key objective in moving the start is to get the horses away from the main stands area, they’d have been better lengthening the race by 3 furlongs.
That would also give them much longer to settle and get sorted out before the first as well as encouraging a generally slower pace throughout.
You’re joking I hope?
With 40 horses going hell for leather trying to get a good position for a sharp bend that’s
more
than a 90 degree turn. Doesn’t sound much like "encouraging a slower pace" to me. Some slipping, some going wide and losing a lot of ground… No jockey could afford to give away ground by going the wide route to the first, so you’ll have even more conjestion for the first fence.
This new start could work, cutting down time to get to the first may well mean horses taking the fence at a slower pace. Though it may not be reduced enough for that… And there’s still 40 horses to get a clear run at the fence.
Although let’s remember the main purpose of moving the start is to get it away from the crowd and not to slow the horses down although that may be something that will happen.
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