Over the stable door: It’s time to put the Grand National deaths into perspective

Straight-talking Yorkshire farmer Ralph Coward from Dalby was spotted in the café at York Cattle Market last Thursday, picking at a salad. The unusual sight perplexed his fellow farmers, until he explained he was fasting in preparation for his Aintree feast the following day, courtesy of the racecourse chairman, Lord Daresbury, who has pointers in training with Ralph’s wife, Cherry.

Also on the invite list was Raymond, a friend who recently chauffeured Mick Easterby to Cheltenham. Not only is Mick still speaking to “the lad” but had organised him a lunch invite to watch the Foxhunters.

Knowing how Mr Easterby can be a critical passenger, I can only assume my friend’s driving skills were similar to Jenson Button’s.

During lunch, Raymond was seated close to Princess Anne, the President of the Amateur Jockeys’ Association.

“I hope you didn’t lick your knife in front of her,” I said jokingly. “Or, worse still, your plate?”

“Of course not,” he snorted in reply. “She was so impressed she wished Zara had met me a few years ago, before this rugby chappie arrived on the scene.”

Aintree has brought controversy to the media forefront once again. What should have been trainer Donald McCain’s finest moment has become overshadowed by a media obsession with reporting the downside of the sport.

The fatalities of two horses in the National was tragic and thoughts go out to their connections.

What sickened me further was the insensitivity showed in reporting it. It was put into perspective when a young jockey, Peter Toole, was left fighting for his life after a fall on Saturday which some Sunday tabloids barely mentioned.

Robin Mounsey, of the British Horseracing Authority, told me how Aintree, the BHA and the RSPCA work together after every National meeting to review all the safety measures and implement suitable alterations.

The recent safety precautions introduced include lay-bys, by-passing of fences and a catching pen at Canal Turn to deter loose horses from the track.

All have proved to be successful in reducing hazards to runners and loose horses.

“The BBC unfortunately overlooked the ‘what if’ scenario when locating their cameras on course this year,” Robin explained. The camera positions gave the audience a full view of both equine fatalities, which appeared insensitive.

Another precaution was the jockeys’ instructions to dismount once pulling up, where oxygen and water were available if needed.

For their own wellbeing, horses were to return to the yard rather than the winner’s enclosure – an intelligent measure, which the professional TV presenters were unaware of.

Mild apprehension set in with a momentary waver in proceedings, blowing a well-planned precaution completely out of proportion.

I never saw any horse seriously distressed after the race. Capable stable staff and jockeys providing water for tired, dehydrated horses is normal practice during racing in warmer months.

“There are 10 vets, nine doctors, 40 horse catchers, four stewards at each fence, and 35 ground repair staff on course,” said Andrew Tulloch, clerk of Aintree.

“The handicapping system was altered to improve the quality. Working to reduce the risk is vital but it is impossible to remove altogether.”

Racehorses are kept in tip-top accommodation and at peak physical condition.

At the opposite end of the scale are those sorry sights found by RSPCA inspectors. Neglect and maltreatment for many equines in this country is the norm, and figures are increasing.

If the media gave equivalent coverage to the fight to prevent suffering of these animals, it would be more respectful to those who lost their horses last weekend.