On Monday 11^th April I emailed all my Donec contacts (including the BHA) with a celebratory description of the start of the Aintree Grand National on Saturday 9^th April. I contrasted it with the start of the 1.45 on the same card which I had seen, and which I described as having “gone down the False Start/Standing re-Start route.” 

Somebody must have doubted my word. On Wednesday 13^th I received an email from the BHA:

“Race 1 – 1:45pm the Gaskells Waste Management handicap hurdle race.The Starters reviewed recordings of the start of this race but were satisfied that no riders should be reported for contravening the starting procedures.”

The Guardian’s on-line text commentary had been as follows: “1.45 race…. they’re lining up….coming towards the tape now…..and we have the first false start of the day (what a surprise!)…..now they’ll have to stand in a line (as is the rule these days)….. they’ve turned round again…..and they’re off!” 

Is it fair to suggest that the Guardian, yours truly and approximately several million others worldwide think they saw a false start and a standing re-start before the 1.45? 

If the answer to that question is “Yes”, the “Stewards’ Report” (above in full) is interesting. It tells us that something down at the start warranted review and was reviewed by the Starters (not the Stewards?) and turned out to be of no consequence. There followed a side swipe at the jockeys – if something untoward had occurred, which it hadn’t, it would have been the jockeys’ fault.

The suggestion seems to be that if a False Start and a Standing re-Start are conducted according to the starting procedures, they cease to be a False Start and a Standing re-Start. I rather doubt that. 

I passed on this message to my “mailing” list (including the BHA), for their consideration. No further comment so far.