Yes they are exceptional cases, but alas it is the exceptional that makes the headlines. Personally I think anything short of those 2 horses being disqualified and at least 3 month bans would have been insufficient.
I’ve seen far worse than those 2 cases, but its really only the National that occupies the general public’s consciousness. If you got rid of that race, which is an anathema to horse racing, then most of the problems would go with it. Unfortunately the revenue and publicity it generates mean the bookmakers would not countenance such a move.
