Not my favourite race, I will freely admit, but will also admit that I love racing, sometimes go to meetings at Exeter & Newton Abbott (the 2 nearest courses).
In general most followers and fans are not just there for a "flutter" (Although more people bet on the Grand National than any other race) but for love and respect of the sport and it's participants, human and equine.
Kauto Star, a brilliant chaser, enjoyed a retirement from racing as a dressage horse, before being fatally injured when turned out into a paddock and deciding to jump the fence into the next one.
Horses can be injured during flat racing too, it's not just restricted to jump racing.