Tony,

Yes, big fields are common in Europe but their courses are also much bigger and there is a lot less crowding around tight turns.
There will always be a certain amount of risk and luck involved in racing, but there there is a lot of room for improvement in the Derby, in particular, and a few simple changes in qualifying requirements could make it both a safer and fairer race. I just don't think that the results of the most important race in the country should so often resemble a lottery. Especially if there are ways to improve the situation.

Bob