The Grand National has historically held a special place in the hearts of the general, non-racing public. It was a unique, unpredictable race that inspired friends to get together, families to have a flutter and workers actually to go into the office for a sweepstake.
But the changes that have been made to it recently are rapidly eroding that appeal and will destroy the popularity of the race.
Once the public realises that the most expensive horses from the top yards are cleaning up every year, and there are no more romantic, epic David-felling-Goliath triumphs, the folklore of the race will be dead.