THE Grand National is in many people’s opinion one of the greatest sporting spectacles in the world. I would like to send my commiserations to the pessimists and do-gooders, like your correspondent Alison Jermy (HAS, Apr 3) that there were no fatal falls to horses or injuries to jockeys for the second consecutive year.

Yes, there are dangers in the race but we cannot contemplate stopping it due to a minority of objections.

The British Horseracing Authority and Aintree racecourse have made huge efforts to make the course safer and less demanding and must be applauded. The objectors must realise that the horses are bred to race and the care they receive in training and retirement is exemplary.

This Aintree meeting is televised all over the world and must be one of the biggest parties around. It must generate huge revenue for Liverpool, so the thought of no Grand National is unthinkable.

Congratulations to C4 for excellent coverage that brings the atmosphere into our living rooms.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to tell my friends and relatives who backed my confident selection that if it had stood up, it would definitely have won.

Eric Schofield, Crook.