The Grand National – how to make the race less risky?

Yesterday’s Aintree Grand National produced an unusually close photo finish. But the success of Paul Nicholls trained Neptune Collonges was overshadowed by the fatal injuries to two horses, including the winner of this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls says lowering the fences even more will only result in horses going faster and more fallers.

How can what is probably one of the world’s most famous races be made safer?
What is the answer to making the Grand National safer? Having read some of the racing sites today, there’s a suggestion that Beecher’s Brook be taken away or the drop on the far side lessened as horses don’t expect that on the other side of a fence. The famous fence caused trouble this year again but, ironically, both horses fatally injured got up after this fence and ran on riderless to meet accidents further on.

I agree with Paul Nicholls that lowering the fences again will make the jockeys go faster. The fences looked smaller this year but there were still two fatalities and a large amount of fallers. Too many runners causes all sorts of problems and the cavalry like charge to the first fence is always alarming! The fact that it’s a handicap encourages owners to enter horses, which often have no hope of getting round, just because they want a runner in the race. Put these two together and you have major trouble.

Always risks with horses
However, there will always be risks. There ARE always risks with horses. I myself have had two horses of mine put down because of broken legs: one was kicked out hunting and the other broke his hind hock in a paddock at a livery yard.

My very first race meeting (aged 10), a horse unseated his rider and then galloped around riderless only to run straight into the winning post where he broke his neck in front of the stand. This was horrific for the crowd watching. You never know what a loose horse will do.
I worked in the horse racing industry for many years and I wouldn’t like to see the Grand National go but I believe more steps have to be taken to reduce the risks.