Teaforthree is the 8-1 ante-post favorite and is bidding to become its first Welsh-trained winner since 1905. Bookmakers will be hoping for a repeat of last year, when a 66-1 shot - Auroras Encore - romped to a nine-length win in one of the race's biggest shocks. The Grand National has prize money of 1 million pounds ($1.66 million) for the first time this year owing to a new sponsor. "Reviews have provided no evidence to suggest that a reduced field size would reduce the risk of injury to horse or rider," the BHA says. There have been no more changes in the past 12 months, despite many calling for the 40-horse field to be decreased to reduce the carnage seen at some fences as horses get in each others' way. The BHA says it has invested more than 1.5 million pounds ($2.5 million) in safety and welfare measures since 2009 and has "left no stone unturned in seeking to reduce risk to both horse and rider whilst maintaining the Grand National's unique character."
And with four horses dying at Cheltenham last month, it remains a hot topic. The 2013 National passed controversy-free - all 40 runners returned unscathed - but two horses died across the festival. Two horses died in the 2011 and '12 races. It means, however, there is no place to hide when tragedy strikes - as so often has happened over the past decade.
#Back in focus horse tv#
An estimated 600 million people typically watch the race on TV around the world and organizers say more people bet on the National than any other racing event by some distance. The BHA points to figures that show the National has been three times more dangerous than other jumps races over the last 10 years.Īuthorities and lovers of horse racing can find themselves in a difficult place during the Aintree meeting, which will be attended by an expected 150,000 people.įor the Grand National on Saturday, Britain can come to a standstill.
"We look forward to the day when it will be consigned to the history books," Animal Aid campaigner Fiona Pereira said of the Grand National.Īnimal Aid claims the race has been "five times more dangerous for horses than other jumps races" based on figures from 19.
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