We've had lots of finishers in the National before and future runnings could still throw up plenty of drama
The dust is now settling on a strong reaction to the Randox Grand National. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to call it a strong overreaction.
A lot of people on both sides of what has become a fierce debate about the race have forgotten this year’s running might not have been so different to some of those in the past. It’s just that the more mundane Nationals don’t stick in the mind.
In 1996, for example, just 27 runners went to post, only one horse fell and five unseated their rider. I doubt there were people up in arms then saying the race will never be the same. Back in 1984, 23 of the 40 runners finished, while 20-plus horses finished in 1987, 1990, 1992 and 2005.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
- It's horses rather than movies and motorbikes for young Izzi Ryder - and so she joins my list of apt racing names
- The reaction to HorsePWR shows we are on the right track, but now we must go further
- It's not complicated: a nice day out helped by nice people is what we all want at the races
- Leopardstown's Derby Trial has fallen on hard times - but could Los Angeles be the one to revive its tradition?
- Racing could benefit if great Olympian Michael Johnson strikes gold again with athletics
- It's horses rather than movies and motorbikes for young Izzi Ryder - and so she joins my list of apt racing names
- The reaction to HorsePWR shows we are on the right track, but now we must go further
- It's not complicated: a nice day out helped by nice people is what we all want at the races
- Leopardstown's Derby Trial has fallen on hard times - but could Los Angeles be the one to revive its tradition?
- Racing could benefit if great Olympian Michael Johnson strikes gold again with athletics