GRAND NATIONAL, AINTREE

9^th April 2016

39 runners, close beneath the stands, supposedly in a melting pot, a crucible, and yet somehow quite unaffected (both horses and jockeys) by the excitement of the moment.  They had cantered down, inspected the first fence, and returned to the assembly point, where they were walking around in groups, while the preliminaries were being dealt with.

Then, at a signal no doubt from the starter, 39 horses walked across to a position where they could see the fences stretching away towards Bechers Brook. They formed a line. Plenty of room, no panic, an even break for all concerned. A matter of seconds later the tapes rose and a perfect start took place.

So very different from the start of the 22-runner 1.45 race on the same card, which went down the False Start/Standing Start route.

Was there anything different in the procedure before the two races? Oh yes. Before the 1.45 race the field was made to rotate in small circles for several minutes (the notorious Rolling Maul), while the temperature rose and the pressure increased and the dreaded jig-jog bore witness to the discomfort being experienced by horses and riders.

Before the National, no Rolling Maul!  And the start was perfect. Would it be too much to suggest that the authorities are within touching distance of the key to respectable starts for all big-field jump races in the future?  

SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL, AYR 

16^th April 2016

The start of the Scottish Grand National was a joy to behold, and the race itself was an excellent contest. Without any preliminary Rolling Maul, 28 horses approached the starter in good order, and 26 of them were still standing after a circuit, suggesting that when the tapes went up the horses had been given every chance to relax and to concentrate on the job in hand. All those involved in the arrangements (horses, jockeys, starters, their assistants, and BHA management) deserve many congratulations on a fine job well done.

Perfect? Almost. The dreaded jig-jog (developing into the occasional outbreak of a canter during the approach to the tapes) was a worry. That didn’t happen at Aintree. Unlike the Household Cavalry, racehorses are not trained to jig-jog comfortably. They do it when pressured, stressed, impatient, and it is infectious. If it takes hold, it can upset the starting process. Walking, on the other hand, has no explosive potential.

With big fields under NH rules, starting needs careful handling. The process cannot be reduced to A,B,C,D – and then blame the jockeys if things go wrong.

On Saturday, it was nearly perfect.

That makes two Grand Nationals in a row. Two prestige races watched by millions all over the world and seen to be properly conducted by British Racing. Something like 67 horses fairly launched on paths already punctuated by so many obstacles that smooth launching, as well as looking good, was a priceless advantage for all concerned.