[Antarius]

Since things are a little quiet around here at the moment I thought that it would be interesting to read any views about the Grand National which is being held at Aintree Racetrack tomorrow.

I will be totally honest and say that I know nothing about horse racing and wouldn't know how to place a bet at the local Bookmakers or even on an internet website.

However if someone has a good tip, I may be encouraged to learn quickly

Seriously though and to the point of my post, what does everyone think about this horse race being run in the first place ? This question usually raises its head after the race has been completed but a couple of days ago at the same race meeting, a horse was killed taking part in another race, causing the debate to be ignited about horse racing in general.


Some say it is cruel, some say it is what horses do, some use their meat in burgers (sorry

)


What are your views on the subject ?

 

[Inchindown]

I'm not sure how I feel about the race. I've never been to a horse race meeting, I don't watch it on TV and the last bet I had was 2 shillings to win on Team Spirit in 1964.

Jump racing is intrinsically dangerous, and it's not only in the national that horses and jockeys are injured or killed.

One way to look at it is the horses would not be alive if it were not for racing.

I do think some of the fences are deliberately made extra hard for the national for the explicit purpose of getting horses to fall. It's what people want to see, so give 'em what they want.

I don't think banning the race is the answer, but I'm not sure what the answer is. Maybe they should just reduce the higher fences in height and turn it into an ordinary jump race.

 

[Antarius]

I'm not sure how I feel about the race. I've never been to a horse race meeting, I don't watch it on TV and the last bet I had was 2 shillings to win on Team Spirit in 1964.

Jump racing is intrinsically dangerous, and it's not only in the national that horses and jockeys are injured or killed.

One way to look at it is the horses would not be alive if it were not for racing.

I do think some of the fences are deliberately made extra hard for the national for the explicit purpose of getting horses to fall. It's what people want to see, so give 'em what they want.

I don't think banning the race is the answer, but I'm not sure what the answer is. Maybe they should just reduce the higher fences in height and turn it into an ordinary jump race.

Evening Inchindown,


To be honest I tend to sit on the fence on this issue. I do agree that "banning" the race is not the answer as it will just be transferred to another part of the world where the same issues will exist.


It was pointed out to me by an ardent racing fan that if anyone wanted proof that the horses enjoy the gallop and the jumping of fences, just watch the number of horses with no jockeys, who continue side by side with those with jockeys and jump the same fences without any human intervention. I couldn't disagree with that statement.


What would "two bob" have bought you prior to 15 February 1971 ?

I know that I could have bought twelve packets of "Tudor" crisps or eight packets of "Golden Wonder" crisps.....now those were the days

 

[smino]

i only got 1, 7s 6d a week. lol

 

[Inchindown]

My pocket money was half a crown in 1964.

My dad gave me the 2 bob for the bet and Team Spirit won at 18 to 1.

That should have meant I got over £3 in winnings, but My dad only gave 5 bob and he kept the rest.

He said it was too much money for a kid of my age.

Never really forgave him for that.

 

[Antarius]

Anyone pick the winner of the Grand National ?

At 66/1 it seems that there could have been some money to be made