Havent watched or bet on it for about 15 yrs due to the cruelty.
I used to love it, one of the best days when I was a kid, getting the Mirror, going through the pull out, reading about the horses, picking my three, going the bookies with my dad, and then watching it
(if I wasn't at the Villa of course)
However, it was the one they ran midweek in the late 90's. My horse was winning, there was the usual pile up, I think 7 died at one fence - that was it for me, didn't even pick my winnings up.
To me, its not the fences, it is the amount of horses going over them at once.
Personally I think it should be started like a long distance athletics race, 40 runners, broke into 4 seperated parts of the track until about fence 8
That would thin them out, and if a horse does fall, the risk of others being involved is minimised.
Until then, I'll be giving it a miss, which is a shame, as I would love to do the same with my kids as I did.
(EDIT) I also totally agree with James - why a whip ? , there is no justifyable reason for it, none what-so-ever !. If they ban it, its fair for everyone isn't it.