Grand National - shocking numbers

Without the Irish it would be lucky to have 20 runners come race day. Or would it, if rules were different?

40 Runners is far to many in my book...25 Max.

Thing is, how the race is these days i am not really bothered about it.

Went last year to cross one off the bucket list. The race has lost much of its unique place in NH racing. These days the only thing special about Becher's is the name.

The good old days were when you could depend on the likes of The Pilgarlic to get round.

I dont half miss the excitement of the old Grand National but it was never going to survive in that form.

it is wrong to say but before they modified the fences, a lot of the excitement was about falling or being brought down etc and whether your fancies even made it past the first circuit let alone be in contention to maybe win it !

yeah - a pretty dull affair nowadays - still, for a lot of people, it's the only time they get involved - so still a bit of fun for the general public

Basically a 4 miles, 2 ½ furlong flat race now.