Watering commences at Aintree with dry spell set to continue in run-up to Grand National meeting

Aintree has already started watering for next month's Grand National meeting, with the course, like many in Britain, in the midst of a dry spell.

Water has been applied to the Grand National and Mildmay courses at the Merseyside track, with warmer temperatures in store until Friday before the possibility of some showers at the weekend. The three-day meeting begins in two weeks' time on Thursday, April 3 before the big day on Saturday, April 5.

Jon Pullin, Aintree's temporary clerk of the course, said on Wednesday afternoon: "Like other areas of the country, we've had the dry spell here as well and that's been going on for the last couple of weeks. Irrigation has commenced on both tracks just to retain the moisture and stop it drying out too much.

"The forecast for tomorrow and Friday is warm and it could be between 18 and 20C, but it'll be cooler over the weekend. There's a chance of some showers but not in huge volumes. We're far enough out, but both tracks are in great shape."

Last year's Grand National, which was won by I Am Maximus, was run on ground officially described as soft. Pullin will be keeping a close eye on the forecasts over the coming weeks to decide if, or how much, more watering could be required before the meeting begins.

He added: "We're a long way out at this stage and forecasts can change daily, so we'll keep monitoring, but the aim is to stop the track from drying out and keep in some moisture in case of a prolonged dry spell."

Pullin is also clerk of the course at Cheltenham, which required watering for the festival last week. 

I Am Maximus heads 67 horses who remain in contention for this year's Randox Grand National. Brilliant Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin was among those taken out of the race at the latest scratchings stage on Tuesday.

The dry weather has impacted meetings including Haydock's on Wednesday, when the opening contest was reduced to a walkover, with two intended runners taken out due to unsuitable ground. 

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