by Joe Walker

joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Thanet North MP Sir Roger Gale has led calls for drastic changes to the Grand National after two horses were put down after the showpiece event on Saturday.

The 68–year-old – who is president of Conservative Animal Welfare – says organisers of the race face having its reputation “irreparably damaged” if action isn’t taken.

He was speaking after pre-race favourite Synchronised and 18/1 shot According to Pete were put down after heavy falls at the track’s notorious Becher’s Brook fence.

He said: “The deaths have once again thrown into harsh light the very real damage that can be inflicted upon the animals during the course of the Grand National spectacle.

“Starting a field of 40 horses, in a manner akin to starting a Formula One race with no grid, is bound to lead to congestion, collision and probable injury to horses and riders.

“Conservative Animal Welfare believes that the Horse Racing Association needs to look closely at tightening the entry qualifications in order to further limit the number of starters.

“It cannot be right, either, to expect a horse to take a fence like Becher`s and to anticipate a drop on the landing side of the obstacle and those responsible must take another look at this and to yet again re-design the fence.

“The bottom line is, of course, that men and women taking part in an extreme sport – and National Hunt racing is exactly that – do so at their own risk.

"The horses they ride have no choice and the Horse Racing Association must recognise that either greater care still is taken to protect the participating horses or that in the eyes of the viewing public the reputation of their business will be irreparably damaged and that the clamour to ban the Grand National completely will increase until it becomes irresistible.”