IN BRIEF : Grand National Safety Questioned
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LIVERPOOL, England — The Jockey Club will investigate the safety of the Grand National after the deaths of two horses in this year’s running of the world’s best-known steeplechase.
In a statement released today, the club, which controls horse racing in Britain, said trainers, jockeys and officials of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will be questioned about possible changes in the course, including the notorious Becher’s Brook jump. Animal-rights advocates have called for changes, such as reducing the field from 40 horses to 30 and lowering jumps such as Becher’s, sixth of 30 jumps on the 4 1/2-mile circuit. Becher’s stands 4-foot-10 on the takeoff side but has a 12-foot-deep trench on the landing zone.
Two years ago, Becher’s claimed a top runner, Dark Ivy. On Saturday, two horses, Brown Trix and Seeandem, were killed in falls at Becher’s.
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