Anybody not watching The Grand National?

I've not watched it in years. I'm not a total woose but they had successive years that were horse murdering bloodbaths [1] and I was disgusted, so I really don't give a sh1t.

[1] Fans may add their response here :) I'm not trolling, I genuinely think if a race kills multiple partipicants every year, its sh1t!
Flat racing is ok, but national fans hate that as they all want to strut around in heels and be called "susan" :P

'.....race kills multiple participants every year ...'



29 horse fatalities in this race in the last 40 years.


No one wants any horse to lose its life in any race, but it happens. But when you consider the total number of racehorses in training and the number of races competed in each year, the number of deaths is comparatively low.
Racehorses enjoy a very good lifestyle , the very  best of stabling, food, exercise, health treatments etc etc.
Horses have to be trained to run and jump.But at the end of the day, if a horse doesn't want to do either - it won't , however much you coerce it.
More accidents to horses ( not just the racing breed) happen everyday, in fields and on roads.
You only see it in racing because big races ( like the National ) are televised and in the public eye.

As I say its all relative and has to be judged in context.

Good facts Facts

I worked on course there a couple of times. Was pitched right on the winning line when Don't Push it won.
I was working in the shop until 3 years ago - Hardest day's work of the year, by miles.
Now it'll be the 3rd year on the trot I'll be missing most of it. Unless I'm home from work in time to see the last 100 yards like last year.

The magic is lost a bit though, with about 6 horse race meetings and the later start.
The over-valuing of horse racing by it's governing bodies has led to racing disappearing from radio, TV and papers to a large extent.
So it's not followed as much as it was, except as a day out on the lash.
The biggest event on a calendar no-one much follows is not what it was.

I never watch it (or any other horse race for that matter).
There's plenty of good cricket action in the IPL this afternoon.

I am watching our glorious campaign against the evil Assad and cheering on as they show all the maps and big pictures on the wall on sky news.  It really is quite exciting.   Don't we feel proud of ourselves.
Waiting to see the latest on the yemen and when we are going in there boys!!!  yahoo !!!

much better than watching the donkeys

Deaths can happen in any NH race but in the National you know it's worse than 50/50 chance which is a big difference. I'm a flat man anyway and won't watch it live.

i guess the national, rather like the f a cup final, and the boat race, are
not as popular these days as when they dominated bbc sports coverage
with little else on bar wrestling or rugby league.

its on at a funny time now too


study, you can watch it on +1.....not the same of course.

Agree those events in particular have lost their appeal maybe it's the saturation on TV with the racing and football you can watch both round the clock if you want.

Just looking through the responses on here, a gambling site. Shows the demise of the national and the sport in general.

As in previous 12 years will only watch if no fatalities.

Ever since I was a boy every year I've always watched the National, but shall be giving it a miss this year though. 
Really don't feel that interested today, maybe cause I have no bets on or maybe because I just don't want to see horses running in their last ever race, I don't know.

Also won't be watching any news, don't want to see another innocent country getting bombed to smithereens.

Instead shall be spending the day pottering around in my garden.

Foinavon
Date Joined:    11 Oct 00
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14 Apr 18 12:02
I never watch it (or any other horse race for that matter).
There's plenty of good cricket action in the IPL this afternoon....Jesus Man are you for real?

The treachery of images, acey.

Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

Not the same Donny, as you say.
I have real difficulty in watching non-live sport.

I'm watching Palace against Brighton and after that I'll watch the race in the pub. It's not really a race I have any great affection for though but I have done a couple of each way punts for an interest. Seeyouatmidnight and Anibale Fly, pays first 6 a place.

put just over a tenner each on for me and a mate

Anibale Fly15.50 £21.26  £308.27
£21.26

Full time at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace 3 - Brighton 2. That's us definitely safe now I would have thought, I don't think our man The Dragon will be overly pleased at that result though somehow Glad all over

Off for a couple of pints now, hope he wins for us kenny mann but more importantly is that they all come home safe and sound.

Heading off to a function right now, so just letting my little botties sort it out.

If they get it wrong, they'll have a dammed good thrashing....

much more important, slippy. good luck mate.

Anibale Fly to win !

.....errrr.....Tiger Roll...actually !

Any fatalities?

No kenny, all the runners got home safe

Thanks, Slippy. Will watch when I get home. Got a taxi taking me to Spoon's shortly. Lot of class, I have.

'Spoons

Apostrophe in wrong place.

'Spoons

Apostrophe in wrong place.

From the Racing Post:

"All horses are fine, except for Saint Are, who is being treated at the stables. All jockeys fine apart from Charlie Deutsch (rider of Houblon Des Obeaux), who is also being treated in the medical room."

Saint Are who I think fell at Beecher's Brook got up but looked winded and a bit lame but hopefully nothing serious.

Nowt wrong with Spoons kenny, I was in the one in Beckenham early this week for a couple when the dog was in the groomers. What a racket that game is, £40 quid to give him a short back and sides! Have a good evening mate.

well the one in Bradford was a Lloyds and the music was terrible weekend evenings. Now it's a Wetherspoons and no music. A much better ambiance. Too many of the blue haired brigade during the day though, getting their copious coffees for the price of one.

Seems like the ground might have helped injuries wise gives racing a breather this year