Alverton 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Alverton 1979 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Alverton
• 1979
• Cheltenham
• Gold
• Cup

[TheTone70]

Alverton was my favourite horse when it won the Gold Cup I picked it to win, I was 9 years old! I then backed it to win the National and all seemed to be going to plan, until Bechers, I blame O'Neil, I was and still am sad he died at that fence that day.

[grincher2006]

@Annon1100 funnily enough, the day you replied the BHA were announcing further changes to the aintree fences to reduce deaths by encouraging them to go faster. These people are dead from the neck up. More horses have died in the Grand National since the 1990 modifications than in the 21 years previous to them. They just dont get it as they appease the militants. Bigger fences mean more respect and a reduction in pace

[Annon1100]

@grincher2006 Thanks for the reply and for this additional info. Yes, sorry - I meant 'only horse to have died in a National' at Becher's after 1989 and before this year's running. I should have stated that more clearly! Sadly there have indeed been fatalities at it during the support races since then.

[grincher2006]

@Annon1100 Thanks for that correction. I still think there have been deaths in support races and of course this year Dooney's Gate was a fatality. I think the brook didnt contribute to the 1989 deaths but made treating them more difficult as those on the scene were supposedly slipping back into the brook, which was 2.5 ft back then. As you said it was there for historical and decorative reasons. In 2005, the brook was actually deepen with running water for the first time since 89.

[Annon1100]

@grincher2006 Manx Magic actually died at the fence which is two before Becher's. Eudipe in 1999 is the one horse to have died at Becher's between 1989 and 2011. I see what you mean about the brook though. I take it was just there for decorative effect? Did it actually play a role in the deaths of Brown Trix and Seeandem? Different people seem to say different things about that.

[grincher2006]

@rohansrider ...1989 when Brown Trix and Seeandem died. A heavy ground race and there was bunching on the outside as the entire field moved there. Many horses jumped unsighted. The changes in 1990 were an accumulation of these deaths and those of Dark Ivy (1987) and Alverton (1979). Since the changes, only one horse (manx magic) has died that comes to mind. Still, there have been a number of deaths at other fences. I was one sorry to see the landing side levelled and raised. The brook had to go.

[rohansrider]

Re Bechers and horses being killed. It has claimed the lives of many good horses, that is until 1990 when two were killed (Brown Trix and See and M )they were trapped in that hateful ditch. Public outcry demanded a complete overhaul of the course including what was a trappy and very unfair fence. Although horses have died at Aintree since then, Bechers has not claimed a victim in the National. Horses dying in races is not sport and never will be despite what Josh Gifford said at the time.

[tarqogan]

The worst sight in any race is when a horse comes to grief and is badly injured, or, God forbid, is killed. It sickens me to see this happen and when poor Alverton met this fate I was really upset. I'm not a great lover of the jumping game because far too many horses are killed.

[julzyboy1973]

Yes most definately. I was very disappointed when he was not entered this year but felt confident that if he was upstaged by Kauto in March the owners would back down and run him in 2011 but I think its highly unlikely now.

[ibanez777vbk]

i dont think denman will run in the national after its jumping performance last saturday