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Fascinating tactical challenge, though. To be among the first six or eight at the outset is to risk getting carried along at an adrenaline charged pace that cannot be maintained.
Great to see some real interest back in the race after the ‘wooden core years’
What a boring National,the horses have no respect for the fences anymore and it has now turned in to a glorified scurry with the accent on speed.Earlier in the week the falls were nearly all down to horses over jumping at speed.
Today the National was over in no time at all and the winner exhausted from going so fast over 4+ miles. Then nearly got knocked over with health and safety twits drowning him with heavy buckets of water.Should have been washed off and scraped and left to cool down that way,not flooded. Still I know nothing according to the clowns these days.lol.What a boring National,the horses have no respect for the fences anymore and it has now turned in to a glorified scurry with the accent on speed.Earlier in the week the falls were nearly all down to horses over jumping at speed.
Today the National was over in no time at all and the winner exhausted from going so fast over 4+ miles. Then nearly got knocked over with health and safety twits drowning him with heavy buckets of water.Should have been washed off and scraped and left to cool down that way,not flooded. Still I know nothing according to the clowns these days.lol.Well, at least you got the last sentence right.
If you make the fences more difficult they would take more energy to jump. So you’d still get the horses finishing tired.
If it were a “a glorified scurry with the accent on speed”…
How do you explain Welsh Grand National winner Monbeg Dude in third?
How do you explain close Scottish Grand National 2nd Aurora’s Encore winning it?
As I said in my write up, Both Many Clouds and Saint Are looked like the sorts to improve with an increased test of stamina.Things have moved on from your dated opinions. Horses recover quicker in those conditions if kept moving, not “scraped and left to cool down”. Many Clouds did not take long to recover.
Value Is EverythingThree years consecutively now with fatality free nationals, and there are still idiots out there who think the “integrity” of the race/fences more important than the welfare of the runners and riders.
Three years consecutively now with fatality free nationals, and there are still idiots out there who think the “integrity” of the race/fences more important than the welfare of the runners and riders.
The most important aspect is that the changes made help reduce inuries and fatalities. It was still a great race if you take a proper look at the horses who made the frame:
The Hennessy winner, two real stayers plus another stayer and Aintree specialist and the favourite. I think it was just the right mix.Hats of to the people making these changes, some of which I questioned at the time.
For once I agree with RL. It was just about right. It was still exciting, still some drama, but (as long as Balthazar King is ok, touch wood) no fatalities.
That is the main thing. The more that fall, the more that are brought down, the more opportunities for a horrible outcome.And the clowns that looked after Many Clouds clearly knew what they were doing since it worked
Latest reports are that Balthazar King is being treated for broken ribs – hope he can make a full recovery. (Crosses Fingers)
Full credit to Ruby Walsh, he was the first to attend to Balthazar King after being brought down and then acted as a stand in flagman to wave the runners past the fence on the second circuit, while most of the course workers were holding up the screens around the stricken horse.
....and you've got to look a long way back for anything else.
I feel happy about racing tonight after watching an enjoyable Grand National with a good winner and how few injuries there were to horse and rider, still I wish all the best to Balthazar King and hope the horse recovers from its rib injury.
Pity that there’s people around like edfiggyrock2 who fail to acknowledge what great work Aintree and the “health and safety twits” have done to help horses and aid animal welfare. Full marks also to the racecourse for allowing the field to bypass Canal Turn on the second circuit and to Ruby Walsh for holding up one of the warning flags, top man.
Yup top man. It’s always one in the eye for the Animal Rights people that when wished good luck, most trainers jockeys and owners just say “just hope he comes back safe”. Oliver Sherwood said as much about Many Clouds. It wasn’t the winning that mattered as much as that he was ok after the race.
Hopefully that’s the main priority for ALL forumites. To have an enjoyable, exciting race is a bonus.Burroughhill I agree, the day having an enjoyable spectacle is more important than 39 horses coming home something has gone very wrong.
Genuinely delighted we’ve now had three fatality free years, when was the last time that happened anyone know? I know pre 89 deaths were rarely recorded, could it possibly be the first time?either way serious kudos to Aintree for making changes that left the race recognisable and with it’s own identity, but strived to protect the welfare and safety of the participants. I think it’s got the balance spot on.
Genuinely delighted we’ve now had three fatality free years, when was the last time that happened anyone know? I know pre 89 deaths were rarely recorded, could it possibly be the first time?
There were no fatalities in the race between 1992 and 1995 inclusive.
....and you've got to look a long way back for anything else.
I’d like to know what they’ve done to the fences since last year. Some of the TV shots today exposed what looked like bundles of black birch laid sideways in bound stacks. These were very close to the surface and I suspect a lot less spruce has been used and a lot more birch.
Emmylou
I believe that from 1980-1986 (inclusive) only Duncreggan in 1983 and Earthstopper (post race heart attack) in 1984 were fatalities. I should like to know the source for your contention that pre-1989 deaths were rarely recorded.
The fences this year seemed a little more robust than in the previous two years and Aintree are to be congratulated on a job pretty well done. Yes, the fences aren’t what they were and some of the cores were clearly exposed on the second circuit, but they still present a major jumping test.
Finally, anyone who found today’s renewal boring must have the concentration span of a frozen pea.
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