Grand National: Katie Walsh defends Aintree race Grand National Meeting Katie Walsh has defended the Grand National over cruelty claims and believes the horses in the sport are treated well despite recent deaths. Walsh, 28, finished third on Seabass last year to become the highest-placed female jockey in the race's history. However, with two horses dying despite new safety measures, the world-famous steeplechase was heavily criticised. These horses are so well looked after. Better than some children, to be honest with you," Walsh told the Radio Times. Twenty horses have died in races over Grand National fences since 2001. Ten have died in the race itself in the last 12 years Source: BHA Anyone who gets up on Christmas Day and mucks out loves animals. Sure, it's a dangerous sport. But every night, all over the world, a lot of horses are left out in fields starving. I don't read the criticism because it's not worth it. And at the end of the day it would be a lot worse if it had been two jockeys who lost their lives. I think everyone should remember that. Changes announced for this year's Grand National on 6 April include shortening the distance to four miles and three-and-a-half furlongs from four-and-a-half miles and changing the core of fences - which are dressed in spruce - from wood to a more forgiving, flexible plastic material. After last year's race, in which According To Pete and 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised died, the British Horseracing Authority wrote to all 40 riders in the race expressing its disappointment at the jockeys' conduct at the start. Riders are being told to be calm at the beginning of the race and advice includes the following: "The start has been moved forward 90 yards to create a quieter environment and hopefully reduce the tension for all concerned. The line will be well back from the tape and jockeys will be requested to line up at or on the line, prior to the starter starting the race. Neptune Collonges (centre) beat Sunnyhillboy to win in 2012 in a race marred by two fatalities Following last year's race, the RSPCA described the deaths as "totally unacceptable" and called for "an urgent examination" of the race. But Walsh, sister of two-time National winner Ruby, is hoping there are no more changes to the iconic steeplechase as she revealed her concern for fellow jockey JT McNamara. The jockey was paralysed by injuries sustained in a fall at the Cheltenham Festival. "Any changes that make it safer are a good thing, but I hope they leave it at this and don't change anything else," she said. I hope to God there are no accidents this year, but these things happen, and they are horses at the end of the day. I don't mean that in a cruel way, but to see John Thomas McNamara get a horrible fall at Cheltenham - that's a different deal altogether in my eyes.