17 April 2023 , 19:00
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A thought-provoking idea to alter the start of the Grand National has been proposed by Shark Hanlon.
The trainer, who ran Cape Gentleman in the 175th edition on Saturday, called upon racing chiefs to consider changing the first obstacle. After a delay, instigated by protestors, four horses parted company with their jockeys at the opening fence of 30 – which historically has the highest count of fallers.
Sadly Hill Sixteen was fatally injured and Recite A Prayer fractured an eye socket while running loose.
Hanlon said: "I would like to see the horses jump a conventional fence first, like they do in other races. Then they could go on to jump the spruce. It would help them settle into the race."
Hanlon issued a positive bulletin on the wellbeing of Cape Gentleman after he was pulled up at jump 14 with a tendon injury. Owner Pierre Manigault gave him the green light for an operation at the Liverpool Equine Hospital.
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Hanlon blasted Animal Rising campaigners who caused havoc at Aintree in the build-up to the Randox-backed race won by 8-1 favourite Corach Rambler.
Derek Fox on Corach Rambler, right, clears the Chair fence before the pair go on to win the race (AP Photo/Jon Super)"Cape Gentleman is 100 per cent, he will come home to me in about ten days," Hanlon added.
"By October he should be able to go back to his owner's place. It was unfortunate, the injury happened on the flat. No-one wants to see a horse hurt. The protestors don't understand, we mind them like babies. They are giving out about animal cruelty and they upset the horses with the delay.
"There were about 200 people protesting and millions watching it. Most people like the Grand National."