It seems to be quite rare for horses to get killed in cross-country. Half the time, it's the riders that die!!

I think what bugs me about the National is the size and quality of the field. If they had less horses, selected to be at a more experienced, elite standard, then perhaps there wouldn't be so many fatalities.

Let's face it: if you come a cropper at Bechers, and there's thirty humungous pieces of horseflesh thundering over the fence behind you, the chances of NOT getting a broken neck, leg or femur are pretty remote.