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Perhaps those newspapers that find the race so abhorrent will forgo printing their four page pullouts for next years race and do the decent thing.
If i was the powers that be i`d ban those that like to write sensationalist bollocks from printing the Grand National racecard for the next five years.It is always amusing to listen to the pundits and phone-in sages commenting on the cruelty of National Hunt racing and the Grand National in particular. After they’ve written their articles and said their bit on radio and TV, they’ll all go home to eat the flesh of chickens who’ve lived miserable existences.Maybe a bit of pate or pork will go down a treat.
After that, they’ll have a drink and laugh with their wives/girlfriends/sisters/daughters/mistresses/mothers who’ll all defend their right to have an abortion and anyone who questions that right is dismissed. The sport needs someone to tell these hyprocitical tossers that:-
a) Racehorses only come in to existence to, er, race. And if there was no (or significantly less) horseracing, then thousands currently in training would end up on a Frenchman’s butty pretty quickly and ..
b) The VAST majority of horses be they flat or NH animals will survive their racing careers and will have (compared to the average chicken, pig, sheep, cow etc.) a life of luxury whilst in training.
Once again, we have an example of urban man (and woman) and media (that know as much about farming/agriculture/animal husbandry/nature as Rab C. Nesbitt) believing that life for animals should resemble some care-bear, disneyesque fantasy world where they’ll all die in their sleep curled up with a cup of cocoa.
NH racing is not cruel, the animals are not abused (quite the opposite) and those in the sport love horses and do not deliberately make the sport roo risky.
The Grand National is demanding, but to say it is "extreme" is hyperbole and diminishes the meaning of "extreme". But repeat that word often enough and the shallow-thinking masses will come to believe it.Superb post completely on the nail.
I was thinking the same. Also the fences on the park course don’t seem to be as stiff as usual, which is a good thing as I used to dread seeing horses jumping them. I’d be interested to hear what any of the jockeys say about them.
Yes it was always an uncomfortable watch, lost too many good horses on the Mildmay course a combination of faster ground and a lightning quick flat track .
One Man and Strong Promise to name but two top class horses lost .I think its the camera angles on the national course ,i think there is enough drop now at Bechers to make it tricky at speed but with less risk of horses landing on their heads.
Hopefully we`ve seen the last of the likes of Beau Bob , Winter Rain and Seeandem et al dive bombing to the floor.
thanks its one my dad was asking about after listening to radio
vf
Mickey Quinn on Talk Sport i think.
If he jumps round he could be the sort to spring a surprise ,it is an iff ,though as you know sometimes horses pick their feet up there better than park courses.
Well i`ve gone early this year ,bets placed:
Calgary Bay
Or Noir de Somoza
Tidal Bay
Quolibetwaiting till tomorrow to see if i can get outrageous odds on Cant Buy Time and Piraya
If Northern Alliance’s connections leave it until the day to decide whether or not they’re running him i will be seriously pissed. It’s not fair that they waste a spot in the biggest race of the year where horses like Royal Rosa will be missing out.
I sort of agree with you Peter it appears he`s trod on a stone so could still be ok come Saturday.
I think in reality if the horse is not right come Friday morning it will be withdrawn.Notice that Howard has an entry in the Topham this week ,if it runs it will be a brave decision as he lost his beloved Avonburn in the race in `95.
Think there’s 5-day decs and then final decs on the Thursday. Reserves can come in if anything is withdrawn before a certain time on the Friday.
Has anyone seen the new Grand National book, "Go Down to the Beaten" by Chris Pitt? Looks like manna from heaven for us National nuts. Takes a look at each post war race from one of the jockeys who didn’t win. They could have been on no-hopers, first fence fallers, or second placers. It features the likes of Brod Munro-Wilson, Phillip Blacker, Bill Smith, Ron Atkins, Ray Goldstein, Charlie Mann, Chris Grant, Billy Worthington…
Suonds great!
This has to be a must have book !
will be interested what Ray Goldstein says about Hettinger he was jumping really well in the 89 National before getting wiped out at Bechers .OA, you’re right about The Vintner only having 2 sets, along with Romany King and Greasepaint.
Northern Bay ran in The National in 3 different colours, and if you want to push it on the cap issue, ran in different colours in each of his 4 Nationals.
I thought Northern Bay ran in Red with white sash for all his attempts from 86 onwards and green with black spots in 85 .
Though time could be clouding the memory of course.Darwen, he was Navy Blue, White Epaulets, white cap, blue star in 88. Good to see old Doubleuagain getting a mention.
You are spot on i would have never remembered that in a million years .
Thought Charlie Mann gave Doubleuagain a fantastic ride in 86 i still hope the loose horse will miss him even now
Doubleuagain ran over the fences in three different colours but only two in the National .
OA, you’re right about The Vintner only having 2 sets, along with Romany King and Greasepaint.
Northern Bay ran in The National in 3 different colours, and if you want to push it on the cap issue, ran in different colours in each of his 4 Nationals.
I thought Northern Bay ran in Red with white sash for all his attempts from 86 onwards and green with black spots in 85 .
Though time could be clouding the memory of course.Noticed the trainer of the last race was non other than Derrick Scott of Villay fame .
There have been plenty of successes over the years for runners in the Malam colours, especially on the PtP/Hunter scene, with horses such as Warleggan, Nodform Wonder, Hanakham, Cornish Gale, Idle Talk etc. Most of the recent ones have been in the care of Sian McCain.
Warleggan was one i tried to remember so thanks for the remainder i seem to remember him being a multiple winner.
I also seem to remember that Prime Justice was ridden by a newsagent Ak Taylor? or has my memory gone to pot.
