nI WASN'T one of the record 600 million watching the awful Grand National this year.

I can't bear to see the horses fall, and thankfully in Saturday's mudbath they all survived.

I must be the only person ever to have gone to Aintree and not watched the event.

I was invited as a corporate guest the year Rubstic won, and though I accepted the hospitality I couldn't watch the big race. I stayed in the marquee and found myself alone with my champers.

I emerged after the event to find the loo and stroked the winner as he came past to the winner's enclosure.

If it has been upto me Saturday's event would not have gone ahead, but then no other years would either.