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Awful. Tragic. Alverton was my fav horse as a child and for this to happen to Jonjo again with another Gold Cup winner is heartbreaking.
I was watching the race with three non racing friends and two of them couldnt watch it after the first few fences. They were going so fast this year and, from the false starts onwards, the race was completely chaotic.
I have said many times on here that I think the race should be run earlier in the season when the ground should be softer (and if it isnt should be watered until it is) and I also agree with those that say the numbers need to be reduced.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
agree, the fence simply has to go. And, constant watering to obtain a minimum of soft ground. Don’t think there were any deaths when Red Marauder won in bottomless ground.
Unfortunately Strawbear, the "improvements" made to drainage, to make waterlogging almost a thing of the past, have made firmer/good ground more prevalent. I feel in the past, the amount of rain Liverpool had this week would’ve ensured a soft surface.
Value Is EverythingI didn’t enjoy watching the race today full stop – never mind the two fatalities. I made sure I none of my children were able to watch the race as I was concerned it would make an unpalatable spectacle.
There is simply no enjoyment to be had from a race where so many horses fall.
If the race is to remain then I agree with an earlier poster that there should be no drop fences whatsoever and the field should be reduced to a maximum of 30 horses.
Once again the most watched race presents a totally unrepresentative impression of the sport we all love.
RIP Synchronised and According to Pete but I won’t shed a tear for the death of the National.
My opinion is for those who cry about what has happend – go play Tiddlewinks or whatever.
In hard economic times we should not forget events such as this generate millions of pounds for the immediate Liverpool economy and much more on a wider scale.
Sure it is tough but sadly prices have to be paid so lets not cry about it and get on with the game.
Billy's Outback Shack
Today Neptune Collonges won in a time only a second quicker than Party Politics in 1992
0 deaths back then.
Other sports evolve, so why not racing?
To scrap it could actually be a PR master stroke, if anything. It’d have to be a shown to be a united decision, though, which it obviously wouldn’t be. Problem.
After watching a replay, im pretty sure, though not 100%, that Synchro got up from his fall and carried on racing and jumped quite a few fences after. Anyone else see this ?
Yes Strawbear, didn’t look anything wrong with him running loose, until falling again about four fences later.
Value Is EverythingAfter watching a replay, im pretty sure, though not 100%, that Synchro got up from his fall and carried on racing and jumped quite a few fences after. Anyone else see this ?
I know – the first thing I looked for was him to get up and run off – remember thinking thank god hes ok – could swear I saw him run off ok. Think AP gave up his last ride of the day as well
at least he has his daughter now to go back home to and take his mind off it.My opinion is for those who cry about what has happend – go play Tiddlewinks or whatever.
In hard economic times we should not forget events such as this generate millions of pounds for the immediate Liverpool economy and much more on a wider scale.
Sure it is tough but sadly prices have to be paid so lets not cry about it and get on with the game.
Not a question of crying Billion. Should do all we can to make the race as safe as possible without destroying the spectacle.
Value Is EverythingKINGFISHER (in another thread) wrote: What sits uncomfortably for me is the fact that he was NEVER A GRAND NATIONAL HORSE,I could see it as could many others so why couldn’t connections,I’ve said it on numerous occassions his heart was bigger than his jumping ability but it was just that,that got him from one side of a fence to another and the will to win that saw him battle like a lion,I’m writing this with frustration,anger,sadness and a pride that I saw the talent in this fellow a long time ago! RIP Soldier!
This is exactly how I feel too …
Poor boy was asked too much – he came down at Bechers – only the 6th fence – and he seemed to be OK but then riderless he made a hash of a further fence and that’s where he got injured (I think) … hindsight is wonderful but WHY didn’t they just leave him after his tremendous effort at Cheltenham? JP has had a National winner … I thought he was a good, thoughtful owner … I hope he’s feeling pain tonight … SORRY but I am genuinely very upset …
You’re not alone in being over emotional, in my opinion.
The owner has the right to pick and choose what races his horse takes part in, the trainer will know the horse better than anyone else and the lad/lass that looks after the horse has the right to feel truly distraught, which I’m sure they all are.
To the rest of us, it’s just another race horse, albeit a better race horse than most.
People die every second of every day, a footballer has just died and the ambulance couldn’t get to him – that is truly tragic – this was a race horse, sad though it is, just a race horse.
Check the memorials thread out, hundreds of horses who had that race too many, they’re all the same, just different names.
Should do all we can to make the race as safe as possible without destroying the spectacle.
IMPOSSIBLE! Its The Grand National Ginge, 41/2m thats a long way on good ground a nightmare on Heavy! Fences like the side of houses,horses dont know whats hit them when they jump Bechers and the Canal turn. 40 horses trying to position themselves sensibly and when there’s half a dozen loose ones wandering about I dont think you can change that and still call it The Grand National!
Should do all we can to make the race as safe as possible without destroying the spectacle.
IMPOSSIBLE! Its The Grand National Ginge, 41/2m thats a long way on good ground a nightmare on Heavy! Fences like the side of houses,horses dont know whats hit them when they jump Bechers and the Canal turn. 40 horses trying to position themselves sensibly and when there’s half a dozen loose ones wandering about I dont think you can change that and still call it The Grand National!
You have made an excellent case for abolition KF.
You have made an excellent case for abolition KF.
Only to those who cant face reality Eclipse! I tell it as it is and am well aware of the idiosyncrasies the race posesses,thats why it has and always will be different"
at least he has his daughter now to go back home to and take his mind off it.
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