IN your report on the aftermath of the Grand National you quote writer and veterinary surgeon specialising in horse care, Manda Scott, saying "I can't see a solution unless you ban all horse racing" ("Winning trainer calls for greater safety at National", The Herald, April 16).

The problem with safety at the National is that tinkering with safety rules is of no value because it is the spectacle of a too- large number of horses thundering towards an inadequate fence space that draws the millions to watch to see how many horses fall, and the punters to see how many favourites fall. No doubt if two jockeys were to die each year the race would be banned.

I would call on all veterinary surgeons condemn the spectacle of the Grand National and call for a severe restriction on the number of horses taking part. Your article showed a picture of Synchronised falling just before he had to be destroyed. Surely that loss could never be justified as an incentive to punters who wanted a flutter on the big race.

George Leslie,

North Glassock, Fenwick.