Of course the media’s reaction is totally wrong but it hasn’t been like this previously when horses have been killed in the National has it? What is significantly different this time? If you think it’s bad this year, wait till there’s a repeat next year or the year after.
However much we may not like it I’m afraid it’s a case of out of sight out of mind.
There’s no doubt racing and Aintree have dropped a significant clanger here and it could have a significant impact on national hunt racing in the future.
Will sponsors want to be involved with a sport with such an "image"?
For instance when/if John Smith’s stop sponsoring the National how easy will it to get a replacement who will be willing to put a similar amount of money into the race/meeting if the sort of thing we saw on Saturday is repeated every year or two?
Doesn’t matter how much you tinker with this, that and the other with the race, there will always be injuries and fatalities.
The RSPCA have always been involved with the sport, their involvement is nothing new.