Did you watch the Grand National?

Jockey Ruby Walsh won the 2005 Grand National on a horse called Hedgehunter.

One of the world's most famous horse races, The Grand National, took place on Saturday afternoon.

Click here to read about the race

It's one of the toughest races for horses and jockeys as they gallop for over four miles and jump 30 fences. And many of them don't manage to finish.

But it's still a very popular event and millions of people from all over the world watch it on TV.

So, did you watch it?

Maybe you guessed the winner?

Perhaps you think it's too dangerous, both for the horses and for the jockeys?

Or is that just something we have to accept in order to enjoy a world class competition?

E-mail and let us know!

Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index.

Your comments

I think the Grand National is very dangerous for both jockeys and the horses but I like it because the horses love racing.

Rachel, 13, Melton Mowbray

I always watch the national and sometimes my mum puts a bet on but this year we picked out 4 horses out of a bowl and my brother picked the winner Numbersixvalverde. I don't think it's that dangerous because not many horses get put down and there was only one this year.

Emma, 12, Coalville

I used to watch it but one of the horses died from a fall on Saturday, so I won't be watching it again.

Sophie, 14, Newbury

I watched the Grand National because my Dad commentates on it every year!! He always makes sure we are watching it before it starts and if we don't watch it he always makes us watch re-runs!

Amy, 13, London

I watched it, and fell in love with a horse called Whispered Secret. The rider was unseated at the first fence! The horses must enjoy it, because they carry on after their rider has fallen, some finishing in 3rd and 4th!

Nia, 11, Cirencester

The horse I picked- Numbersixvalverde, came first! Near the beginning of the race when I couldn't hear any commentary on it, I assumed it had fallen over, but when I heard that it was near the back, my hopes were raised. I never guessed it would win!

Michael, 13, Stamford

I think the Grand National is vile and cruel. The horses in the race can end up injured and so can the jockeys. Like you say, many don't even finish.

Olivia, 12, Washington

Yeh, I watched the Grand National! Me and my mum bet on Clan Royal ( who came 3rd!), even though I am not fan of horses at all really, I thought it was really good! I don't like it at all when the horses fall it's horrid to see. But you can't deprive a horse of what it's been bred to do.

Rachel, 13, Staffordshire

I love watching it. It is not cruel because if a horse was at fence it would just refuse to jump it but most horses don't. Well done Numbersixvalverde.

Will, 11, Evesham

Yeah I watched it and my horse came 3rd!

Sam, 11

I watch the Grand National every year. I betted for Numbersixvelverde and I was SO happy when it won.

Daniel, 13, London

I watched the Grand National and thought it was very exciting. I do not think it is cruel to watch horses jump as they have been trained to do this and nobody would force them into doing this if the horses didn't want to!

Lucy, 11, Ealing

I find horse racing a boring sport and I've only watched one race but haven't since.

Nathan, 15, Ipswich

The horse my dad picked WON and now his best friend has too give him £100!

Laura, 13, Coventry

I have a ex-race horse who came out of racing at just 5! He was very nervous and wary of people at the start due to being neglected. He is just one of thousands of race horses and although his past has scarred him, most race horses are happy and healthy. I watched the Grand National and me and my mum have decided to buy ex-race horses that have been neglected and nurse them back to health.

Soph, 10, London

I didn't watch it because I think it is cruelty to animals.

Kim, 14, Edinburgh

I was surprised at how many didn't finish the race! Only 9 out of 40 finished!

Sarah, 14, Barnsley

I think it is a cruel sport and race! I think it should be banned or not have as many horses in the actual race!

Rachel, 11, Wales

I watched it as I do every year. I guessed Hedgehunter would come first but he came second, but was very unlucky not to win.

Katie, 12, Telford

The horse I picked came second - so my mum owes me 20p!

Rachael, 13, Birmingham

I didn't watch it because I don't like watching the horses falling over or the jockeys falling off. Also people blame the horses if they don't win which is very cruel.

Poppy, 11, Ipswich

Yes, I watched it on TV.

Ga, 8, Adlington

I think the jumps are quite high, but if the horse was unhappy jumping the jumps it would refuse. I have two horses Polo and Chaucer and they both obviously enjoy jumping as the NEVER refuse the jump! AND they are both thoroughbreds too!

Becks, 12, Derby

The Grand National is not cruel because if the horses did not want to do the jump then they wouldn't because horses can be stubborn. I love it!

Tom, 14, Liverpool

I watched it and my mum bet on Hedgehunter which came second - yeah! I really like the Grand National because I love horse races. But I agree that it is a bit dangerous though if the rider and the horse hurt themselves.

Michelle, 13, Darlington

I think this race is cool because I love horses and riding events. I don't think it is cruel to make horses jump over the fences. I love watching horses jumping over the fences.

Sonali, 15, New Zealand

I always watch the Grand National and I don't think it's wrong because when the horses fall down they get up and carry on without the person to ride them, which I think means that they found it fun.

Andrew, 12, Bradford

Yes! I thought the Grand National was really good.

Daniel, 13, Notts

I nervously watched the Grand National wondering where my horse was! My mum and dad's jockeys had both fell off the horses and now it was up to me! I was cheering on Forest Gunner as the horse had the only lady jockey! She finished last but I thought to myself at least she finished as most of the horses didn't.

Amy, 9, Manchester

I watched the Grand National with my family - it was the best one ever! My mum's favourite came second!

Yasmin, 9, Dartford

I thought the Grand National would be boring - just loads of horses running - but then I watched it and it's so much more! It's so exciting! People who are against it obviously don't understand that it is not cruel because if the horses didn't like it they would refuse to jump! I also saw a few riders fall off but the horses kept on running, which showed that they were having fun!

Elly, 13, Southampton

I didn't used to like horse racing but have learnt that the horses are kept well and enjoy racing. Even though this I still didn't watch the Grand National.

Kelly, 13, Tamworth

I watched the Grand National and I thought it was great!

Kathryn, 11, Bury St Edmunds

Me and my mum are horse experts and have a number of racing thoroughbreds. We do not mistreat them and the people who are saying that it is cruel are wrong! The horses enjoy it and it is a tradition that will keep going. They only have thin legs coz of their breeding but they are very strong animals!

Sophie, 13, Basingstoke

I have been watching the Grand National with my dad and was literally in tears when I saw one of the horses do a roll on its head and then have all of the other horses stamp over it! I feel very strongly about this and am starting a campaign about the horses having to jump over these high jumps and landing on their thin legs from so high up! I don't agree with the whipping either.

Mabel, 10, Billericay

I didn't watch it because I hate seeing the horses get hurt when they race.

Bethany, 11, Tewkesbury

I watched it I wanted Sir OJ to win!

DD, 12, Scotland

It was a good race all round! But my horse did not win so I am slightly disappointed.

Sara, 13, Cambridgeshire

Races keep the horses fit and healthy. My dad won it once!

Hannah, 13, Andover

I have my own horses and if the horse doesn't want to jump then it won't!! I watch it if I'm not with my own horses!!!

Rhian, 13, Braishfield

Nah! My mum is but I have better things to do.

Ellie, 13, Leeds

I love the Grand National...it's exciting, fun and even funnier if you don't win. And it's a great tradition to keep going!!!

Tara, 15, Northampton

In a word...no. I'm not really interested in the Grand National.

Angharad, 14, Wales

It is not cruel! People say that horses would rather sit around and eat hay but the reality is if they do not race nobody is going to pay for them to sit around and eat hay. They earn their keep.

Patrick, 9, London

I will be watching but I'm glad they lowered the jumps.

Olivia, 10, Rainford

I think it's one of England's few traditions left so it's great!

Liam, 13, Durham

I always watch the Grand National, it is so exciting. Last year I guessed Hedgehunter would win!

Josephine, 12, London

I think this sport is sick because people only go and watch it for their own fun and it's unfair on the horses.

Emma, 12, Hasssocks

I will only watch it if I'm really bored!

Jobhan, 14, Birmingham

I horse ride and agree with anyone who says that horses wouldn't jump if they didn't enjoy it. It's not cruel in the slightest, otherwise the RSPCA would go nuts and make it illegal. I find that when you point a horse at a particularly large fence, they love to run fast at it and jump really high and fast. If your horse is willing, then there is nothing wrong with it.

Dart, 14, Milton Keynes

I have watched the Grand National with my family for the last couple of years and we always bet on a horse.

Sophie, 11, Arundel

I do not watch the Grand National as I think it's cruel to the horses, especially when they whip them.

Hannah, 12, Swadincote

Yes and I hope it will be an Irish 1,2,3!

Jack, 10, Ireland

I think the Grand National is cruel to the horses as they have no choice whether to race or not although the jockeys can choose.

Francesca, 11, Worcester

It is cruel, I hate it! Lots of horses get injured and so do people. I have no sympathy for the people that get hurt because that's their choice. I am sure if the horses could speak they would agree they would much rather be eating hay in a field than jumping over bushes and hurdles!

Charzie, 12, Edgware

Yes, I love it and I think it is safe for the horses.

Ryan, 11, Glasgow

My whole family watches it and we all try and guess who is going to win. I don't watch horse racing any other time though because it's boring but I love a bit of competition!

Joe, 12, Cambridgeshire

I love the sport and it's my dream to be a jockey (but sadly I'm to tall). I've been watching for two years. Sadly my favourite horse died of a heart attack on the racing gallops but I'm still a horse racing nut and love it to pieces. The thrill of watching your favourite horse leap the fences takes my breath away.

Kellsey, 13, Oakham

I have horses myself and know that you can make a horse jump by itself so it must like it. I feel for the horses that die but at least you know that they died doing something they enjoy!

Annie, 13, Hull

I don't usually watch the Grand National but I think the horses must enjoy it because if a horse doesn't want to run then it is pretty hard to make it. I think they could make the course safer though as every year at least one horse is injured or even killed and sometimes the jockey too.

Megan, 13, Cardiff

I think that Gaevivonnian will win in the Grand National this year. Even though Hedgehunter won last year he will not win this year!

Daniel, 10, Eastwood

I do not watch the Grand National as I think it is cruel making horses jump. I would much rather watch football.

Lucy, 12, London

No! It's sooooo boring and I think horse racing is cruel, who said the horses like it? I don't see why people love it!

Melissa, 13, Stratford

I always watch it with my dad. I worry about the horses but he says if they didn't like it then they wouldn't jump. I do think they're brave though.

James, 11, Colchester