Saturday April 14 2012
Aintree 16:15

John Smith's Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap)
£975000.00 added, 7yo plus, 4m 4f, Class 1
Winner £547268 2nd £205822 3rd £102862 4th £51382 5th £25838 6th £12870 7th £6630 8th £3510 9th £1950 10th £975


40 runners + 4 reserves.

Going: Good to Soft-Good in places; National: Good to Soft-Good in places.

[i
1 3-P7311 Synchronised (IRE) 29 9 11-10 Jonjo O'Neill A P McCoy 161
7/1

2 1/1121-4 BallaBriggs (IRE) 42 11 11-9 D McCain Jnr J M Maguire 160
10/1

3 18P-13P Weird Al (IRE) 29 9 11-8 D McCain Jnr T J Murphy 159
50/1

4 86-P422 Neptune Collonges (FR) 56 11 11-6 P F Nicholls D A Jacob 157
33/1

5 2F-8511 Calgary Bay (IRE) 77 9 11-6 Miss H C Knight D Elsworth 157
33/1

6 6741UP Alfa Beat (IRE) 49 8 11-5 b J J Hanlon D N Russell 156
50/1

7 01/35-23 Planet of Sound 49 10 11-5 t P J Hobbs R Johnson 156
33/1

8 1U022/2 Black Apalachi (IRE) 49 13 11-3 p D T Hughes D F O'Regan 154
33/1

9 3U34-1F Deep Purple 49 11 11-3 Evan Williams J E Moore 154
66/1

10 1/321-82 Junior 42 9 11-2 b D Pipe T Scudamore 153
14/1

11 8-U3732 Chicago Grey (IRE) 56 9 10-13 t G Elliott P Carberry 150
14/1

12 170-715 Tatenen (FR) 56 8 10-13 R Rowe A Thornton 150
100/1

13 1/11111 Seabass (IRE) 48 9 10-12 T M Walsh Ms K Walsh 149
16/1

14 97-1122 Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 34 8 10-12 N J Henderson B J Geraghty 149
14/1

15 11PB-P1 West End Rocker (IRE) 133 10 10-12 A King W Hutchinson 149
10/1

16 2-37112 According To Pete 42 11 10-12 J M Jefferson Harry Haynes 149
28/1

17 14P1-B1 On His Own (IRE) 79 8 10-11 W P Mullins R Walsh 148
16/1

18 113-1PP Always Right (IRE) 56 10 10-10 J Wade J Reveley 147
28/1

19 F2P/133 Cappa Bleu (IRE) 56 10 10-10 t Evan Williams Paul Moloney 147
16/1

20 345053 Rare Bob (IRE) 34 10 10-9 D T Hughes Bryan J cooper 146
40/1

21 2-133F5 Organisedconfusion (IRE) 35 7 10-8 A L T Moore Miss N Carberry 145
22/1

22 P-51423 Treacle (IRE) 62 11 10-8 T J Taaffe A E Lynch 145
20/1

23 16-B439 The Midnight Club (IRE) 29 11 10-8 W P Mullins P Townend 145
28/1

24 F/52PP0 Mon Mome (FR) 32 12 10-8 Miss V Williams Aidan Coleman 145
50/1

25 9P2F-60 Arbor Supreme (IRE) 122 10 10-7 t1 Jonjo O'Neill M P Walsh 144
80/1

26 F-37P91 Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 30 9 10-5 Jonjo O'Neill R P Mclernon 142
18/1

27 030341 Killyglen (IRE) 28 10 10-4 t S R B Crawford R M Power 141
16/1

28 2F-4910 Quiscover Fontaine (FR) 77 8 10-4 W P Mullins D J Casey 141
50/1

29 P13077 Tharawaat (IRE) 49 7 10-4 t G Elliott B T O'Connell 141
100/1

30 F-63F22 Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 30 9 10-3 N F Glynn D J Condon 140
18/1

31 144P3/4- State of Play 371 12 10-3 Evan Williams N Fehily 140
50/1

32 313P20 Swing Bill (FR) 30 11 10-3 p D Pipe Conor O'farrell 140
100/1

33 P-26611 Postmaster 17 10 10-2 t Tim Vaughan D C Costello 139
150/1

34 P22-121 Giles Cross (IRE) 56 10 10-1 V R A Dartnall P J Brennan 138
16/1

35 1/17P-16 Midnight Haze 32 10 10-0 K C Bailey S Quinlan 137
80/1

36 4B-2110 Vic Venturi (IRE) 62 12 10-0 p D T Hughes Harry Skelton 137
66/1

37 31U0-P3 In Compliance (IRE) 28 12 10-0 D T Hughes N P Madden 137
150/1

38 0-143P5 Viking Blond (FR) 56 7 10-0 b N A Twiston-Davies B Hughes 137
100/1

39 P-5U654 Hello Bud (IRE) 42 14 10-0 t N A Twiston-Davies S Twiston-Davies 137
80/1

40 315045 Neptune Equester 42 9 10-0 B Ellison Felix De Giles 132
100/1

-------------------------------------------------------------------
41 32-3P47 Any Currency (IRE) 77 9 10-0 p M Keighley Reserve 1 131
100/1
42 292658 Our Island (IRE) 31 7 10-0 p Tim Vaughan Reserve 2 130
150/1
43 1P/FP33 Abbeybraney (IRE) 42 11 10-0 G Bewley Reserve 3 128
150/1
44 341064 Smoking Aces (IRE) 34 8 10-0 p T J Taaffe Reserve 4 128
100/1
[/i

[iLast Winner Year Horse Trainer Jockey SP Age Wt
2011 BallaBriggs (IRE) D McCain Jnr J M Maguire 14/1 10 11-0[/i



BETTING:

7/1 Synchronised, 10/1 Junior, 10/1 West End Rocker, 10/1 Giles Cross, 12/1 BallaBriggs, 12/1 Chicago Grey, 12/1 On His Own, 12/1 Cappa Bleu, 14/1 Seabass, 14/1 Killyglen, 16/1 Shakalakaboomboom, 16/1 Treacle, 16/1 Sunnyhillboy, 16/1 Becauseicouldntsee, 20/1 According To Pete, 20/1 Organisedconfusion, 25/1 Neptune Collonges, 25/1 Calgary Bay, 25/1 Planet of Sound, 25/1 Always Right, 25/1 The Midnight Club, 33/1 Weird Al, 33/1 Alfa Beat, 33/1 Black Apalachi, 33/1 Rare Bob, 33/1 Mon Mome, 33/1 Quiscover Fontaine, 33/1 State of Play, 50/1 Deep Purple, 50/1 Tatenen, 50/1 Arbor Supreme, 50/1 Midnight Haze, 50/1 Vic Venturi, 50/1 Viking Blond, 50/1 Hello Bud, 66/1 Tharawaat, 66/1 Swing Bill, 66/1 Postmaster, 66/1 In Compliance, 66/1 Any Currency, 100/1 Neptune Equester, 100/1 Our Island, 100/1 Abbeybraney, 100/1 Smoking Aces

FORMWATCH

[iSynchronised (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear on inside, pushed along 13th, headway 18th, switched outside approaching 3 out, 5th and outpaced when switched inside before next, soon ridden, switched right to challenge approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar beating The Giant Bolster (11-10) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.BallaBriggs (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Tracked leading pair, blundered 8th, went 2nd when blundered 11th, soon dropped to 3rd, stayed on to lead flat, headed and outpaced entering final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 5, 9l behind Master Of The Hall (11-icon_cool.gif at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) gd in Mar.Weird Al (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Behind, reminders after 12th, soon struggling, lost touch and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 14 ran.Neptune Collonges (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Tracked winner, took closer order 8th, ridden and every chance last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Giles Cross (10-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb.Calgary Bay (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, steady headway from 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, led before last, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 3m Listed Handicap Chase (0-155) (5yo+) (1) gs in Jan beating Shakalakaboomboom (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.Alfa Beat (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Prominent, slight mistake 6th, a little slow 5 out, no extra approaching straight, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Prince De Beauchene (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G2 (1) sft in Feb, 8 ran.Planet of Sound 9-2 (11-12) Held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway to 4th approaching halfway, went 3rd 13th, driven and no chance with leading duo from after 4 out, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Nacarat (11-icon_cool.gif at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb.Black Apalachi (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, dropped to last 6th, a lot to do approaching 5 out, poor 6th into straight, went 4th at last, ran on well run-in without troubling comfortable winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Prince De Beauchene (11-3) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f chs G2 (1) sft in Feb.Deep Purple 8-1 (11-icon_cool.gif Chased leading trio and off the pace, lost 4th approaching halfway, dropped towards rear and mistake 11th, poor 7th when fell 14th, in a race won by Nacarat (11-icon_cool.gif at Kempton 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Feb, 10 ran.Junior 11-4fav (11-icon_cool.gif Led, not fluent 4th, headed next, tracked leader, chased clear leader from before 14th, headway 2 out, a close 3rd when left 2nd last, every chance run-in, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 6, shd behind Ikorodu Road (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.Chicago Grey (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Chased leaders mainly 5th, lost touch with easy winner after halfway, went moderate 2nd approaching 3 out where mistake, jumped left last and almost unseated rider, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 16l behind Rubi Light (11-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.Tatenen (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, blunderd 9th, lost place next and never on terms after, 5th of 8, 44l behind Riverside Theatre (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb.Seabass (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Always prominent, led or disputed lead, narrowly headed entering straight, not fluent final 2 fences, kept on well under pressure run-in to lead again closing stages, won at Naas 2m chs G2 (1) sft in Feb beating Zaarito (11-4) by 1l, 6 ran.Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Held up in touch, challenged 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression on winner when drifted left last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 11l behind Kilmacowen (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.West End Rocker (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, went 2nd 17th, led 3 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Aintree 3m 2f lstd hcp chs (1) hvy in Dec beating Niche Market (11-5) by 22l, 14 ran.According To Pete 11-4 (11-4) Led, blundered 9th, soon headed, chased leader after 11th, every chance when not fluent last, headed flat, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied to 2nd final 100 yards, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Master Of The Hall (11-icon_cool.gif at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) gd in Mar.On His Own (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Close up throughout, in front 7 out, clear approaching straight, soon reduced lead, went on again from 3 out, a bit awkward next, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Gowran Park 3m hcp chs sft in Jan beating Tullintain (10-0) by 13l, 18 ran.Always Right (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway 14th, chased winner from 5 out, every chance and mistake 3 out, ridden and quickly weakened before 2 out, pulled up, in a race won by Giles Cross (10-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb, 14 ran.Cappa Bleu (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway before 11th, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden and hit 3 out, rallied to dispute 2nd before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Massini's Maguire (10-13) at Ascot 3m hcp chs Listed (1) gs in Feb.Rare Bob (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Rear of mid-division on inner, 6th entering straight, closer in 4th 2 out, 3rd before last but no impression on first 2 run-in, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Paddy Pub (9-7) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar.Organisedconfusion (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, moderate 7th 4 out, ridden from next, moderate 6th 2 out, kept on from last, 5th of 10, 33l behind The Sneezer (9-icon_cool.gif at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs sft in Mar.Treacle (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) In rear, never a factor, ridden into 5th approaching last, kept on under pressure to go 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Quel Esprit (11-10) at Leopardstown 3m Grade 1 chs (1) gs in Feb.The Midnight Club (IRE) 100-1 (11-10) In rear, hampered 2nd, struggling 15th, never dangerous, 9th of 14, well behind Synchronised (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.Mon Mome (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, struggling 13th, soon behind, 12th of 19, well behind Alfie Sherrin (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.Arbor Supreme (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out, 10th of 12, 46l behind Dais Return (11-1) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 13-2fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway and in touch on outside 14th, chased leaders on inside approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, ridden to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar beating Becauseicouldntsee (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 23 ran.Killyglen (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, headway into 2nd approaching straight and led before 2 out where slight mistake, asserted before last and kept on well run-in, won at Down Royal 3m 2f chs sft in Mar beating Saddlers Storm (10-11) by 6l, 8 ran.Quiscover Fontaine (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Towards rear, some late headway straight, never a factor, 16th of 30, 20l behind Citizenship (10-3) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 in Jan.Tharawaat (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 3rd, joined into straight, soon headed and no extra 2 out, 7th of 12, 25l behind Hans Crescent (9-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-140 in Feb.Becauseicouldntsee (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Led, headed 3 out, regained lead next, soon ridden, headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 23, 4 1/2l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.State of Play 28-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place 17th, 11th and outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure from last, went 4th towards finish, no impression, 4th of 40, 17l behind Ballabriggs (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '11.Swing Bill (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Mid-division, lost place 15th, soon behind, 17th of 23, well behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.Postmaster 11-4 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 13th, led 3 out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Mar beating Bermuda Boy (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.Giles Cross (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) Made all, pressed from 3 out, kept on towards finish, pushed out, won at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Feb beating Neptune Collonges (11-5) by nk, 14 ran.Midnight Haze 16-1 (10-7) Keen early, led to 2nd, tracked leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no impression between last 2, 6th of 16, 13l behind Balthazar King (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.Vic Venturi (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Tracked leaders on outer, 6th halfway, no extra from 3 out, eased when beaten in straight, 12th of 17, 42l behind Salsify (11-11) at Leopardstown 3m hts chs gs in Feb.In Compliance (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader in 2nd, 3rd 3 out and soon no extra under pressure, 3rd of 8, 37l behind Killyglen (11-0) at Down Royal 3m 2f chs sft in Mar.Viking Blond (FR) 6-1 (10-4) Chased leader until 10th, chased leading pair until 12th, mistake next, tailed off when hampered 14th, 5th of 12, 49l behind Massini's Maguire (10-13) at Ascot 3m hcp chs Listed (1) gs in Feb.Hello Bud (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led 1st until 12th, outpaced after 16th, well held 3 out, 4th of 10, 33l behind Marufo (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Mar.Neptune Equester 11-2 (9-icon_cool.gif Held up in rear, pushed along and blundered 12th, soon tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Ikorodu Road (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.Any Currency (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outside, reminders 11th, lost place 15th, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Midnight Chase (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.Our Island (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 19, 26l behind Teaforthree (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m am nov chs (2) gd in Mar.Abbeybraney (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leader until approaching 8th, chased leaders, led narrowly 10th, joined last, headed flat, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Master Of The Hall (11-icon_cool.gif at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) gd in Mar.Smoking Aces (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 8th halfway, slow 5 out and driven along towards rear, went moderate 7th entering straight and not fluent final 2, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 12l behind Paddy Pub (9-7) at Naas 3m hcp chs sft in Mar.[/i

MY PREDICTION

1st .... JUNIOR

2nd .... TREACLE

3rd .... BALLABRIGGS

4th .... SEABASS

5th .... STATE OF PLAY.

1) Treacle
2) Killyglen
3) According to Pete
4) In Compliance (only because I've pulled the 100/1 shot out in both sweepstakes at work!

)
5) Ballabriggs

Ricky Gervais appeared on the BBC radio show broadcast from Aintree, the location of the big horse racing event known as the Grand National this weekend.

When asked about things that offend him, the comedian told the show's host: "Well, you are at Aintree. I don't think that people should make horses jump over things being whipped, and when they injure themselves, they are put down because they are not worth having around because of economic reasons."

Added Gervais: "Basically a beautiful majestic beast that took 2 billion years to evolve has just been slaughtered for fun..."

[i***PRICEWISE***
Mr Tom Segal[/i

in The RACING P=RedOST......


TODAY'S BETS:


=GreenBECAUSEICOULDNTSEE
4:15 Aintree
1pt win at 22-1 with Bet365 or Coral.

=RedRARE BOB
4:15 Aintree
1pt each-way at 50-1 with Ladbrokes.

ADVISED ANTE-POST

=blueTRECLE
4:15 Aintree
1pt win at 33-1

Saturday April 14 2012
Aintree 16:15 - Result
John Smith's Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap)
£975000 added, 7yo plus, 4m 4f, Class 2, 40 ran
Winner £547268 2nd £205822 3rd £102862 4th £51382 5th £25838 6th £12870 7th £6630 8th £3510 9th £1950 10th £975
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places

1 Neptune Collonges (FR) 11-6 D A Jacob P F Nicholls 11 33/1

2 nse Sunnyhillboy (IRE) 10-5 R P Mclernon Jonjo O'Neill 9 16/1

3 5 Seabass (IRE) 10-12 Ms K Walsh T M Walsh 9 8/1 jf
opened 11/1 touched 12/1 £10000-£900 (x2) £5000-£550 (x3)
4 7 Cappa Bleu (IRE) 10-10 t Paul Moloney Evan Williams 10 16/1
opened 14/1
5 2¾ In Compliance (IRE) 10-0 N P Madden D T Hughes 12 100/1

6 2½ BallaBriggs (IRE) 11-9 J M Maguire D McCain Jnr 11 12/1
opened 14/1 touched 16/1 £32000-£2000 Each Way £14000-£1000 Each Way £10000-£700 (x5) £5000-£350 (x11)
7 3¾ Hello Bud (IRE) 10-0 t S Twiston-Davies N A Twiston-Davies 14 33/1
opened 100/1
8 ¾ Tharawaat (IRE) 10-4 t B T O'Connell G Elliott 7 125/1
touched 100/1
9 6 Shakalakaboomboom (IRE) 10-12 B J Geraghty N J Henderson 8 8/1 jf
opened 12/1 £10000-£800 (x2) £10000-£900 £5000-£500 (x16)
10 27 Swing Bill (FR) 10-3 p Conor O'farrell D Pipe 11 100/1

11 22 The Midnight Club (IRE) 10-8 A Tinkler W P Mullins 11 40/1

12 14 Planet of Sound 11-5 t R Johnson P J Hobbs 10 33/1

13 24 Neptune Equester 10-0 Felix De Giles B Ellison 9 100/1

14 14 Calgary Bay (IRE) 11-6 D Elsworth Miss H C Knight 9 33/1

15 10 Midnight Haze 10-0 S Quinlan K C Bailey 10 80/1



Also Ran: Synchronised (IRE), Weird Al (IRE), Alfa Beat (IRE), Black Apalachi (IRE), Deep Purple, Junior, Chicago Grey (IRE), Tatenen (FR), According To Pete, West End Rocker (IRE), On His Own (IRE), Always Right (IRE), Rare Bob (IRE), Mon Mome (FR), Organisedconfusion (IRE), Treacle (IRE), Arbor Supreme (IRE), Killyglen (IRE), Quiscover Fontaine (FR), Becauseicouldntsee (IRE), State of Play, Postmaster, Giles Cross (IRE), Vic Venturi (IRE), Viking Blond (FR)


Tote Win: £47.80 Tote Place: £9.00,£6.40,£2.60,£4.60
Straight Forecast: £448.28 Tricast: £4657.68 Exacta: £737.20 Trifecta: £69606.30
Swingers:1&2:£58.90, 2&3:£61.60, 1&3:£114.80

I had £4 on In compliance at 100/1, to say i'm gutted is an understatement!!!

I had £2 each way on Sea Bass at 20/1 all because i once caught a seabass at Barmouth whilst in a canoe and flicked out the fish with the paddle.

I had a £4 each way bet on it at 150/1 with Paddy Power who paid out for a top 5 finish. Got me £75

How are the people that organise this allowed to get away with this happening and allow something like this to be run in the first place? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17714060 Nothing but animal cruelty.

How are the people that organise this allowed to get away with this happening and allow something like this to be run in the first place? www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/horse-racing/17714060 Nothing but animal cruelty.

A horse breaks/fractures its leg in a race and then is but down (well shot actually)how can that be right ?
Can Photo Finish please explain this.

It's the same with all horses, not just racehorses. If a horse breaks/fractures a leg, it never fully heals. It'd never walk properly again, and certainly nothing faster.

It can also be in agonizing pain for the rest of its life. Believe me thy wouldn't put it down if they didn't have to.

And I understand why MR loves sale sharks so much. He's a animal rights activist lol.

[iCan't answer that one "Prestwich Red"

But like it all sports there is an element of danger.

Hopefully the powers that be will look at ways of improving the race and of course try and make sure these sort of injuries are not fatal ones in the future.[/i

Easy don't run the race, it's sheer animal cruelty, personally I think the owners of the horses that died should be charged with cruelty and prevented from owning any more then maybe this would deter others.

Why is a horse doing something it would naturally do in the wild cruel? You'll notice that when.the horses get un manned they don't just stop the actually carry on running and jumping. If they didn't want to they would stop.

I take it Prestwich Red and Michigan Red are both vegetarians, if not vegans, then?

Not in the slightest but there is a distinct difference between a human being eating meat for nourishment and making an animal take part in a sporting event for your own edification.

Would imagine that racehorses have a better standard of living and are better looked after during their lifetime than non racehorses.

Better standard of living than alot of people.

Throw the lions to the Christians, sport and animals has been around for a few thosand years

That's a pretty disingenuous argument. It's perfectly possible to live a healthy life on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Those of us who eat meat do it because we enjoy it and we think it's fine to kill an animal on that basis, not because we need to.

As has been pointed out, you could quite easily be a vegitarian/vegan and still get full nourishment. Selective principles once more.

By the way, just for record, I eat meat and I like horse racing, so I'm not going at the 'pious' angle on this one. Just the 'you're a bit of a hypocrite' one.

Not at all I'm against making an animal compete in an event that potentially kill it.

A human is predesposed to eat meat, I try my best to buy meat that is ethically produced so don't class myself as a Nazi about this I just think that for the sake of a sport a horse dieing is pretty sad, people would be up in arms if there was a call to permit dog fighting or bear baiting and I see the lack of similarity on the barbarity stakes but the fact that animals stand to be injured is the same end result.

A professional footballer has just, tragically, died. Is football barbaric and cruel?