to have had a bet on the Grand National when I'm not sure I approve of the risk to the horses?

[grovel]

The Druid's Nephew at 14 to 1. The race will be on the TV here whether I like it or not.

I have backed Soll each way, but you do know what is going to happen on this thread now.

What is going to happen? Is there a "naive" emoticon?

I have the Druid's Nephew too. But as Gingham said, this thread is not going to go well.

Oh just you wait

What's going to happen is this;

Half the thread "Racing is cruel, how can you support it...links to deathwatch site"

Other half of thread "Racing isn't cruel, they don't jump if they don't want to etc"

For pages

I don't think you get to place a bet on it and take the moral high ground over it. It's kind of an either or deal. If you don't agree with it don't bet on it, if you bet on it don't moan about it. Jeezo I'd have thought that was fairly obvious

Like any other thread then! Most of them deteriorate into bunfights. I used to have a flutter in the National, but I decided it was to cruel for me.
I suppose it's horses for courses though

YANBU.

I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons. I only eat bacon, steak and chicken.

Yep YABU, you have to choose one stance or the other. I haven't bet on it for 10 years or so once I realised that it isn't an event I can morally support. Yes its still on TV regardless but my money ins't going to support the racing industry.

Ah I used to be great at picking Grand National winners! Then I decided that morally it just couldn't support it any more.

I'm not against all horse racing, I just think this particular race is quite cruel.

Definitely unreasonable. Racing is a money making enterprise with the money being made through betting. If you have doubts over the welfare or morality involved, why on earth would you choose to support the enterprise by placing bets (aka donating money to the cause...)?

Oh I see one has died already today, Novice hurdle. RIP

I used to bet.every year until I was on MN. Ditto sea world type places and believing in dominance theory. So I did learn something although I still have controversial bikini lines

Oh no, not another Grand National thread...

I like my racing, I've watched all the pre- National racing so far.

They've made so many amendments to the National its no longer the race it was, bloody shame really.

They've made so many amendments to the National its no longer the race it was, bloody shame really.

I know. It was so much better when it was less safe for horses, and you could be certain of a fatality or two to spice things up...

If youre not sure whether you approve then probably better not to support it until you are sure that you do approve. I dont really understand your reason for placing a bet tbh, is it just the novelty because it is being talked about and lots of people around you are betting so you jumped on the bandwagon?

I mean i'm assuming you dont normaly bet on horse racing because you are questioning your decision to do so today? So it's just a "i want to be part of the hype" thing isnt it?

Having had a father who liked spending more money on betting than on anything else, I'm not a fan!

I don't think you get to place a bet on it and take the moral high ground over it. It's kind of an either or deal. If you don't agree with it don't bet on it, if you bet on it don't moan about it. Jeezo I'd have thought that was fairly obvious

^^This.

What on earth was your point?

Well yes of course YABU if you're not sure if you approve or not, I would have thought it was quite obvious really.

They've made so many amendments to the National its no longer the race it was, bloody shame really

I know....it's a bloody disgrace they have made it safer for the horses. Takes all the fun out of seeing those screens go up around a stricken horse

Should have had a bet on this thread going all kinds of wrong....

Sparkling
You would not have got a good return on your bet

Oooh good point Cant, should I have bet on it not going all kinds of wrong?

Hate, detest n despise the national as am an animal lover. Would never bet on it or have it on in my house. At present time sat in the bedroom coz DH wants to watch it n I have to grudgingly accept that that's his choice. I could have sent him to the bedroom but it's nice n quiet n peaceful up here, his penance is putting up with the tired, whiny, snotty kids while trying to watch!