Controversy
There were numerous suggestions in the press that the race should not have been run due to the conditions. Racing Post journalist and lead presenter of Channel 4 Racing, Alastair Down, wrote: "You can wash the mud off the jockeys' silks, but not the stain off the race", under a front page headline: Gutless, Witless and Utterly Reckless. John Maxse, spokesman of the Jockey Club, said: "It was fairly shocking, uncomfortable viewing".
However, many in racing leapt to Aintree's defence, as it was loose horses that had caused most problems. Despite more than 30 of the 40 horses either falling or being brought down, all of the horses and jockeys were fine afterwards and no major injuries were sustained.
Read more about this topic: 2001 Grand National
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