ED CHAMBERLIN: It's the biggest 10 minutes for racing in a very long time.... the Grand National is perfect occasion to show racing is doing everything to make it as safe as we can

Are you worried? Usually at this time of year my friends want to know how excited I am but, as the Randox Grand National approaches, the tone of their question has changed.

There is scrutiny on our greatest race like never before and after the events of 12 months ago, when the start was delayed for 15 minutes by protesters, those with only a passing interest in racing are wondering what will be in store at Aintree seven days from now.

To be clear, as I’ve told my friends, I’m not worried in the slightest. I cannot wait to be back in Liverpool and there is no other day in the year when, before I go on air on ITV, my heart jumps out of my chest with nerves and excitement. The Grand National is part of our fabric.

People love the race and the occasion. Over the next few months there will be prestigious Flat races worth millions of pounds, but nothing captures the public’s imagination like the Grand National. As Des Lynam, my hero, used to say so succinctly: ‘It’s the day the nation goes racing.’

But let’s be realistic. After last year’s demonstration and the focus on horse welfare, some might say it is the biggest 10 minutes for the sport in a very long time. Critics — of whom there are many — will be looking for the slightest opening to run through.

This, then, is the perfect time for the racing industry to get on the front foot, to use our sport’s impressive welfare standards to encourage people to engage. Well done to the BHA team for launching the HorsePWR campaign this week.

The aim is to promote and share facts around horse welfare, on an easily navigable website. The message around safety and standards comes across loud and clear. There is nothing to hide. Yet there will still be a lot of negativity over the next seven days.

There is so much misleading information out there, which needs correcting. We must keep calm and, most importantly, listen and engage. We can’t dismiss any view, no matter how extreme. You are bound to have family members who don’t like the National, or watch the race with one eye closed.

I’m blessed to have this platform to be able to put forward my view. I know the love, affection and care that is afforded to horses at all stages of their lives. Go to a yard when there is an Open Day and you’ll see it yourself. But, equally, I’d never dream of saying the race or sport is without risks. It isn’t.

Therefore we need to show racing is doing everything to make it as safe as we possibly can — 99.8 per cent of the 90,000 yearly runners come back safe and sound. You can argue, as last year’s winning trainer Lucinda Russell often does, that the racecourse is actually the safest place for a thoroughbred.

Half a tonne of animal on delicate legs can get themselves into trouble in all sorts of places. I hope we see a lot of Lucinda and Peter Scudamore in the build up to Corach Rambler’s defence. No two people epitomise the love of a horse better than they do — they are such brilliant ambassadors.

In an ever changing world, their presence is crucial. This is a much more urban society, so welfare needs to be at the forefront of our minds. We need to understand concerns and be transparent. We need the public’s trust. That’s where the HorsePWR website will be a huge asset, a reference point with simple explanations, statistics and facts.

Racing isn’t in the same place it was decades ago, when the Sport Of Kings could put its fingers in its ears and crack on regardless. It doesn’t have that standing or popularity these days. That’s why we need to listen and evolve.

Gemma Pearson, an expert in equine behavioural medicine and a race-day vet at Musselburgh, speaks with great authority on the subject. She cites the difference between zoos and circuses. Zoos listened and invested time and money in welfare, trying to improve. Circuses didn’t and the public lost confidence.

Zoos are thriving. When did you last take the family to the circus? Gemma says: ‘Social licence is all about trust. If the public trust you, they’ll continue to let you self-regulate.’

Aintree have done a great job. They could not afford to sit still like the circus. They listened, took on board expert advice and self-regulated. The race had to evolve and next week we will see how the changes that have been made pan out.

There will be 34 runners rather than 40 — the run to the first fence is shorter to reduce the speed of the field — and there will be an earlier start time. The public can have confidence that everything has been done to enhance safety but, equally, they must know the risk.

Yes, Aintree will get a lot of media attention on and off the racecourse next Saturday. The Grand National has been through so many turbulent chapters. The only thing you can guarantee is another unmissable 10 minutes of thrilling sport.

Ed Chamberlin is a SkyBet UK ambassador