作为提高安全保障措施中的一部分，英国国家障碍赛马大赛的参赛人数从 40 人减少到 34 人。

The Grand National, regarded by many as the world's most famous horse race, features jockeys and horses negotiating 30 fences over more than four miles, and is watched by an estimated six hundred million people worldwide.

英国国家障碍赛马大赛被许多人认为是世界上最著名的赛马比赛，骑手们需驾驭马匹在超过四英里长的赛程中跨越30道障碍。每年全球约有六亿人观看这项赛事。

However, after the death of five horses over the last decade, including one this year, there have been calls for more safety measures to be introduced.

然而，在过去十年中有五匹赛马死亡，包括今年的一匹，这令一些人们呼吁大赛应引入更多安全保障措施。

These changes will see the maximum number of riders reduced from 40 to 34. There will also be an earlier start time and a shorter run to the first fence to slow horses down early on.

这些措施包括把同场竞技的骑手人数从40人减少到34人。比赛的开始时间将会提前，从比赛起点到第一个障碍间的距离也会缩短，以提早控制马匹的速度。

The introduction of a standing start and further veterinary checks are amongst other changes.

其它变化包括将赛马起跑方式改为静止站立起跑，以及更完善的兽医检查。

词汇表

jockeys 赛马骑手，职业骑师
negotiating 设法穿过、越过
fences 栏杆，（赛事中设置的）障碍
worldwide 全世界范围地
safety measures 安全措施
riders 骑手
run 奔跑的距离，行程
early on 在早期，尽早地
standing start 站立式起跑（此处指马匹静止站立起跑）
veterinary checks 兽医检查

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

1. How many fences are there in the Grand National?

2. True or False? Five horses died during this year's Grand National.

3. What will be the maximum number of riders in future races?

4. How will horses be slowed down at the start of the race?

答案

1. How many fences are there in the Grand National?

There are 30 fences in the Grand National.

2. True or False? Five horses died during this year's Grand National.

False. Five horses have died over the last decade, including one from this year.

3. What will be the maximum number of riders in future races?

The maximum number of riders is reduced to 34.

4. How will horses be slowed down at the start of the race?

The horses will be slowed down by making the run to the first fence shorter.