The Grand National, of which there was only one, has changed into something so unrecognisable from the magnificent event it once was, that to many long term racing fans its appropriate title should really be the Grand National In Name Only Chase.
Yesterday's renewal was a typically modern subdued affair, the fearful obstacles of yesteryear long gone, with no amount of green spruce able to kid observers that it's something more than an illusion. Long gone too are those Jump Sundays, at the height of their popularity in the 1970's when you'd walk the course having read the likes of Tom Forrest or Ivor Herbert's previews in the Sunday papers, then feel your stomach turn as you looked across in awe at Becher's Brook.
Admittedly, one animal sadly never returned but run a forty runner steeplechase over a marathon trip at any of the current venues, even those considered pretty tame, then you would still get regular fatalities and the Aintree event has been fortunate on that front in recent years deluding the organisers into patting themselves on the back that the lucky run on the safety front was down to the alterations they made.
If racing had stood up to those who called for changes to it's UK showcase event, many whom always and still have hopes of getting rid of the sport altogether, then it would not find itself in the back against the wall position it is in now, with nothing further to yield save perhaps a shortening in the distance and a reduction in the number of runners - it's so far removed from the race it was in the 1980's and beyond, that further changes wouldn't take much away from the present version of the contest carrying a historically famous name.
Ironically enough, when they made changes to the Mildmay course a few decades back, ironing out the sharp kink in an attempt to make it more galloping, a spokesman came out with the ridiculous comment that it would be like Newbury, when it was there for all to see that there wasn't the room available on the inside of the Grand National course to copy the Berkshire venue.
The result was a circuit that remained on the sharp side. Forward to now with the willingness of racing's authorities to be more obedient than ever towards the wishes of those wanting to slowly dismantle the sport, then there exists more than sufficient room at the venue to tear up both the Mildmay and Grand National circuits, and build from scratch a galloping left handed track similar to Newbury, the fairest jumping course in the kingdom.
They'd still be able to pull in the cult crowds with room available for more large marquees and concert venues. The course, as a business, would be a winner and jump racing itself would be a winner. A terrific three day festival at a left handed, galloping get into a rhythm track, with a valuable 3m 2f handicap chase forming the Saturday feature event. They could scrap the open 3m 1f chase on the Thursday and make the Saturday race the richest event in the calendar making it an option that a reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner would not pass over.
And as well as present Gold Cup horses lining up, it would be a temption that connections of the RSA winners would find it hard to turn their backs on. It surely has to be a far more appealing prospect than trying to keep a long gone event alive in name only. If they wished to continue the play on names they could call the new event the 'New National' or something similar.
And maybe they can finally stop transmitting the falsehood that hundreds of millions around the world watch the race, when we know that if a thirty second clip is shown on the main news in Russia, then those watching the item would be classed as viewers. Still, I guess we've also been misled in similar ways down the years over how many worldwide view the FA Cup Final.
No doubt we are almost certainly misled over how any viewers ITV racing draw in, which had now sadly become the worst terrestrial television horse racing production in history. They are tailoring it to suit the viewers who watch it like others might watch Bargain Hunt, The Bidding Room, or Homes Under The Hammer. Just another programme that stokes up a mildly curious fascination over its content when in reality racing needs viewers who are punters, and thus are contributing to the sport and without which it could not exist on its present scale.
Yesterday's coverage was arguably the lowest and most syrupy it has ever sank to. A genuine racing fan acquaintance messaged me during it to say that he is as finding it all on the point of unbearable, also noting that the victorious rider gave the impression she just wished to be treated like a competent professional without the gender angle being used as the focal point of the proceedings.
Even in times when we are able to view all racing live, even without having a bet, I think enough is enough and many will be forced back to paying subscriptions if they want some trainer interviews or updated to the minute news. The style along with the content of the current UK terrestial coverage of horse racing belittles a sport that deserves better.
image in public domain
A noble sounding tune from an album bearing its name and released as the 1976/77 National Hunt season was getting into full flow and when the Grand National fully deserved its heralded status.
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