Ed Chamberlin column following Tiger Roll winning his second Grand National at Aintree
Ed Chamberlin reflects on a memorable Randox Health Grand National and focuses on the most important lesson learnt from Aintree 2019.
The Grand National remains the ten most exciting minutes in sport. It still enthrals the nation and as the late, great Hugh McIlvanney said “the National furnishes us with indelible memories".
Tiger Roll making history will live with us for a long, long time. Spartan Missile and Aldiniti hooked me in to racing and my hope is that youngsters up and down the land will now engage with the sport - thanks to the little horse with a giant heart that has become a household name.
The news that 9.6 million people watched the race - over a million more than last year - is great news for anyone who loves National Hunt racing.
This comes hot on the heels of record viewing figures at the Cheltenham Festival and huge increases on Thursday and Friday at Aintree, which more than doubled the numbers from 2016. Oli Bell and The Opening Show also broke new ground and interaction on social media went through the roof.
Viewing numbers are in the decline for television shows across the board, not just sport. Horse racing is bucking that trend.
Tiger Roll is now manna from heaven for the sport and ITV. The little warrior also shows trainers that running frequently can be a positive. The Tiger has never been wrapped in cotton wool, has had a busy campaign and seems to get better and better. Davy Russell was so right when he said the Tiger "has something of the Forrest Gumps about him" - he just runs and runs.
It was easy to revel in his joy. The National creates these legends but sport at the highest level has risk and that trap door to despair is never far away.
The hardest part of my job is relaying the saddest news and Saturday saw a first fatality since 2012. It was hard to find words. My heart went out to Will Ingram who looked after Up For Review. Owner Graham Wylie has become a good friend and he and Andrea have had a torrid few weeks with their horses. I sincerely hope their luck will change and we can celebrate their successes with increased vigour.
Not many will appreciate or realise but unsung heroes were director Paul McNamara, vision mixer Marcus Read and the camera operators, whose skilful work did the sport an enormous turn as the field bypassed the first fence on the second circuit.
The fatality brings the inevitable negative headlines but we have no need to be defensive, no need to engage in arguments on high streets and social media. We need to inform and educate about our great sport.
Unfortunately, fatal injuries will occur - 0.22% of runners over the last five years - however, jump racing thrives on the longevity of its participants and our viewing figures reflect people’s love for familiar names.
Bless The Wings is a prime example. Much loved and finishing 13th at the grand age of 14 after appearing at eight consecutive Cheltenham Festivals. My favourite performance in the race was One For Arthur, lit up by a return to his favourite place and heroic in sixth.
As Richard Hoiles said: "would the sport’s critics really sacrifice the love and care of the other 99.78% horses and the benefits so many get through working with these beautiful equine athletes?"
I went behind the scenes and witnessed first hand the incredible, committed job the BHA Equine Welfare team, devoted stable staff and trainers do. Horses are given the absolute best of care and love and everyone within the industry is fully committed to constantly trying to make the sport as possible with no stone left unturned.
I’m a huge Nick Rust fan and I hope he is now armed to get on the front foot. I made a point of saying numerous times on Saturday when we saw the packed Aintree stands that this is a sport in rude health. Parliament obviously has its concerns but must also now be aware that the last few weeks has brought record crowds, record breaking viewing figures on ITV, employment, revenue and most importantly the sheer joy the sport of National Hunt racing brings.
In the build up I took plenty of stick for my love of Tiger Roll and promotion of Bryony Frost. I actually didn’t know Bryony that well until this week. Not only is she a breath of fresh air for the sport, but she’s a lovely person to boot. She mixed in with the ITV crew at the team hotel and could not have been easier to work with. Her insight and use of language was extraordinary.
Likewise, Chris Hughes was an invaluable new member of the team. He and Matt Chapman skilfully got people involved at home and I’m sure have also helped bring a stack of new people to our sport. Our make-up department will also need re-stocking!
The ITV team behind the scenes have become like family. Editor Paul Cooper put his heart and soul in to that show but we’re already discussing, and listening to feedback on how we can improve next year. I just love having the incomparable Gabriel Clarke working in horse racing. Following on from the bomb scare and “the race that never was”, his feature on Tiger Roll and Red Rum was a masterpiece. I wonder what he has in store for 12 months' time?
I also wonder what the handicapper will do with Michael O’Leary’s Tiger Roll...
That’s all for the future. Right now, after a tough few weeks the most important lesson from Grand National weekend: jump racing is incredibly popular right now. We must celebrate that.
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