Leader: Grand National must continue despite tragedies

John Hales, the Shropshire owner of Neptune Collonges which won a thrilling Grand National in a photo finish, knows more than most about the dangers of racing.

His greatest horse, One Man, was killed at Aintree.

And the joy and celebrations of victory are tempered yet again by the deaths of horses in the National.

The list of victims is long and lengthening. Land Lark, Beau Bob, Grey Sombrero... just a random few of the names from the past. To those we add Saturday's toll – the highly fancied Synchronised and According to Pete.

Once more hard questions are being asked about this greatest of challenges.

Mr Hales, who has seen both the triumph and the heartbreak that racing can bring, says the National should continue. And he is right.

Much has been done to make this race safer. Becher's Brook, a fence which once had a notoriously fearsome drop – horses land at a lower level than they take off – is much tamer than it once was.

Improvements have been made all around the course. It was heavily watered before Saturday's race.

The Grand National is not the world's greatest steeplechase for nothing. It is the supreme challenge, the most difficult test horse and rider can undertake.

While everything should be done to make the course as safe as possible, there is always going to be an element of risk when performance and capability are tested to the absolute limit.

The horses are the pampered, highly-trained athletes at the cutting edge of the equine world. They are bred for racing. Tragedy can strike in any sport and any activity. Risk can be minimised, but cannot be totally avoided.

What makes Neptune Collonges' triumph an epic feat is that this horse rose to the greatest racing challenge of all and succeeded.