'We're working to try and get it good to soft all over' - watering continues at Aintree as warm weather prevails

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Conditions at Aintree eased to good to soft, good in places across the course's three tracks on Tuesday after watering continued ahead of this week's Grand National meeting.

Between eight to ten millimetres of water was put on the National, Mildmay chase and hurdles tracks on Tuesday morning as the warm weather in Liverpool prevailed. Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma is confident conditions will be as near to good to soft all over as possible when racing commences on Thursday.

"We've gone good to soft, good in places all over this morning," Varma said on Tuesday afternoon. "We put eight to ten millimetres on today and we're carrying on watering as it's still warm, dry and breezy.

"It looks like the breeze will drop a bit on Wednesday but it'll still be as warm, so I suspect we'll be putting on around the same amount of water then too.

"I'm hopeful we should be predominantly good to soft come racing. There may still be some good there but we're working to try and get it good to soft all over, particularly on the National course, for the start of the meeting."

Temperatures reached as high as 20C at the track on Tuesday, but the warm conditions are not expected to last through the week, with possible showers and colder weather anticipated for the opening day of the festival.

"When we hit Thursday it's almost a complete reversal in weather – temperatures are 12C maximum and it's a lot chillier and cloudier," Varma said.

"There's perhaps the chance of a light shower too, but there's nothing too significant there. It's certainly not not going to be quite as glorious weather for racing as it has been at the start of the week. It's not as ideal for racegoers, but the weather will be ideal for the horses."

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