2012 Grand National

I am sure the Scottish Grand National will be less dramatic and for the die hards, Harry the Viking should be the one to beat.

Harry the Viking Love that name.

I can only repeat. In any flat race there is a statistically very small chance that a horse will die. In the Grand National it is almost a statistical certainty. Is it so damned hard to see the difference?

And the analogy with steaks and handbags doesn't work. Almost all of us have exploited animals at some time or another in our lives, but to run a race in the name of "sport" where the chances of every runner surviving is almost zero is sick. The Grand National has had its time, and if in particular the death of Synchronized has some effect in bringing about the race's demise he won't have died in vain.

ga!! I see the date for next year's national is out already.. 4-6 April 2013

Nicholls accepts more National changes likely

BY RACINGPOST.COM STAFF 6:58PM 15 APR 2012

GRAND NATIONAL-winning trainer Paul Nicholls on Sunday acknowledged that more changes were likely be made to the Aintree contest following the deaths oftwo horses - including Gold Cup winner Synchronised - on Saturday.

Nicholls National reaction

Nicholls was speaking as 400 people descended on his stables to celebrate Neptune Collonges' last-gasp victory for owner John Hales.

Neptunes Collonges himself has been retired and Nicholls said: "John and I had made up our minds to retire him, win lose or draw, so to end on such a high is fantastic. And there's not a scratch on him, which is just what you want to see at the end of a Grand National. He's a wonderful horse and that was a wonderful performance."

The trainer had commiserated with Synchronised's trainer Jonjo O'Neill by telephone on Sunday morning.

He added: "It's awfully sad and nobody likes to see it, but horses are at higher risk when they areturned out at grass, as they kick each other and get into all sorts of trouble.


Donald McCain: "It's unfortunate"

"People have their opinions, and though some of them are over the top there have obviously got to be changes. I don't know what to suggest, and it's not my job to tell them what to do, but we shouldn't rush, we should have a sensible discussion when the dust has settled.

"We've done lots already, and the BHA and Aintree are always looking to improve safety. We live in a different world now though, and anything more that we can do, we will."

Donald McCain, who won last year's National with Ballabriggs was more resistant to calls for further changes to the course at Aintree.

He said: "I don't think there needs to be changes. From what I saw of it I don't think either horse got hurt because of falls they had. I honestly think it's just unfortunate.

"I don't think you're ever going to be able to turn around with any race and say it's completely safe. It's very unfortunate and Aintree have done their best to do things right and I'm sure they will keep looking into things."


Winning Bets
Date Reference Sport Tournament Event Market Bet type Price Bet Stake Final Price Scratching Deduction Status
2012/04/14 03:18:19 PM 782438 HORSE RACING AINTREE Race 5 NEPTUNE COLLONGES Fixed Win 33.33 1000.00 30.00 1000.00 - Result

As i stated before i dont punt on The National and didnt watch it.But lets say we ban the race,what next should we ban the Gold Cup,then Cheltenham,then any steeple chase races,then any hurdles races,then all flat races and then horses being bred, because there are fatalities at all of the said mentioned.
Magic you said comparing steak and handbags doesnt work,reason being, we dont have abattoirs on our screens like we have
horse racing .Wether its for sport or food or fashion animals are killed.
I have homed ex-racehorses all near to where i live and regularly see them,but im afraid it does happen in this game.
On a lighter note,go to youtube and type in ' blue warrior the great escape 2 '

This is how injured horses should be cared for. Hibs you might remember blues mate straphy.
We was recomended to have him put to sleep,what a arsehole that vet was..

Naresh , nicholls says horses are at more risk when turned out at grass..

Thats why the majority are imprisoned in their cells for most of their lifes

I think Paul N was smoking the grass when he made that comment!

Craig Eudey Wrote:

---

> I think Paul N was smoking the grass when he made
> that comment!


Must agree, looking at the size of him i certainly think he's had the Munchies..