Scottish trainer Sandy Thomson has strongly criticized the decision to exclude his horse, Mr Incredible, from this year’s Grand National at Aintree. The Irish-bred chaser, who was considered a strong contender, was removed from the race after concerns were raised over his history of refusals and race completion rate.
Thomson, who had high hopes for Mr Incredible in the prestigious steeplechase, expressed his frustration over the ruling, calling it “deeply unfair” and “a blow to the sport.” He argued that the horse had demonstrated significant improvement and was fully capable of handling the demanding course.
“This decision makes no sense,” Thomson said. “Mr Incredible has shown his ability in top-class races, and to remove him from the Grand National is hugely disappointing for everyone involved.”
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Aintree officials defended their decision, stating that the horse’s previous refusals in major races posed a potential safety risk. However, Thomson believes the move sets a dangerous precedent and unfairly singles out his runner.
With the Grand National set to take place on April 13, the controversy surrounding Mr Incredible’s exclusion has sparked debate among racing fans and industry insiders, with many questioning the criteria used to determine race eligibility.
Leave a Reply