Aintree moves to combat low sun but Saturday's big chase is still at risk

Two of Aintree’s three chases on Saturday have been moved to the start of the card by officials to counteract the threat of low sun which blighted last month’s Old Roan Chase, although scheduling restrictions mean the track’s feature chase, to be shown on ITV4, could still be affected.

No fences were jumped in the home straight in the Old Roan Chase won by Forest Bihan after riders had raised concerns the sun was obscuring their view of the obstacles, a problem which could affect Saturday’s Virgin Bet Handicap Chase, which is due off at 2.40pm and will be shown on ITV4.

However, while clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch and his team were able to shift the 2m handicap chase to the beginning of the card so that it sits alongside the 2m4f novices’ handicap chase – it was race six last year – the highlight of the meeting has not moved, meaning television viewers may potentially witness another major race with limited jumping.

Tulloch said: “Like anything in life you look at it and evaluate it. There’s a balancing act with everything you have. We have brought the other two [chases] forward in the hope that if the weather is nice and sunny we can mitigate against it.

A number of fences were omitted in the Old Roan Chase last monthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

“A televised race on ITV is important for our sponsors and then for the viewing public it is jump racing and you want them to be jumping the fences wherever possible, so we have to take that all into consideration.

“However, having said that, safety is paramount for everyone and that’s the most important thing. It’s a difficult one and disappointing for everyone if we can’t jump the fences, but safety has to be the overriding consideration in any decision we make.”

Aintree may be saved from needing to make a decision about jumping the fences on Saturday with the weather forecast promising only a small chance of sunshine.

A Met Office spokesman said: “After a bright start in the early morning it’s looking to be a wet morning for Liverpool on Saturday. The rain will move through fairly quickly and pass by the middle of the afternoon.

“There may be a narrow window for some sunshine in the latter part of the afternoon before the sun goes down, but it will not be for very long. It will also feel chilly.”

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