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As we approach racing's national day of shame there is one thing you can bet on, and that is that horses will definitely suffer, if not die, during the Grand National (Walsh siblings in 40-runner Aintree field, Sport, 5 April). The annual race, which is one of the key events on the racing calendar, has seen the deaths of countless horses over the years as they compete over one of the most gruelling and demanding courses in racing history.
It is high time changes were implemented to cut the odds on the number of deaths and to make the Grand National a safer, less cruel event. Polling by the League Against Cruel Sports has shown that 65% of people in Britain think the course should be changed to lessen the risk. We support the league's campaign to boycott the National until improvements to the course are made. We will not be putting a penny on the race and hope the public will join us in forfeiting what may seem like a harmless flutter, or an innocent office sweepstake, in favour of a safer, improved Grand National.
Brian May, Alesha Dixon, Richard Adams, Gemma Atkinson, Emma Milne, Sue Cook, Bill Oddie, Mark Radcliffe
