Grand National 2013: BHA defends Aintree race safety The British Horseracing Authority has defended the Grand National, saying the race has "become safer." Two fatalities in 2011 prompted a major review into safety, with two more horse deaths in 2012 resulting in changes to the Aintree course for Saturday's race. BHA director of raceday operations Jamie Stier told the BBC: "The fatalities of last year do not mean the changes made were inappropriate. People need to give an opportunity for the changes to bed in. The Grand National Meeting gets under way on Thursday, with the first race of the three-day event tasking place at 14:00 BST. Stier added: "If we look back over the years, the Grand National has actually become safer." Though four horses have died in the past two years, there have been only six equine fatalities in the previous 11 Nationals. "The period up to 2010 was the best rolling 10-year period in the history of the race," added Stier. Unfortunately, since then we have had some fatalities, but by the same token overall the safety record of the race has improved. I think it's important people understand that and allow the opportunity for the changes which have taken place to bed in rather than seeking to change more and more all the time. The changes made to the Aintree course include shortening the distance of the race from four-and-a-half miles to four miles and three-and-a-half furlongs and changing the core material used to build the fences from wood to a more forgiving, plastic material. Welfare groups which advise racing have welcomed this year's modifications to the fences in particular, whilst stressing the success or failure of any changes to the Grand National can only be judged over time.