Easy ground set to greet runners on opening day of the Grand National meeting

The ground on the National course was described as good to soft on Wednesday evening, with softer patches on the Canal Turn.

After a relatively dry night, with just 2mm of rain, compared to the 10mm that had fallen overnight Monday into Tuesday morning, the ground descriptions were altered early on Wednesday, but a further 2mm of rain up to 1pm led to conditions easing once more.

The Mildmay and hurdles courses were given as good to soft, and there could be further showers, some of them heavy, on Thursday, when the three-day meeting at Aintree gets under way.

Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said on Wednesday: "We had 2mm of rain overnight and it's a bit showery as I speak, drizzling away. There's also a chance of some showers tomorrow.

"Friday and Saturday are predicted to be drier, but temperatures will remain quite cool. As always, we'll continue to monitor the situation regarding watering.

"Temperatures are set to remain pretty cool, which will help, and we will just have to wait and see how much rain we get."

Seven runners have been declared for the Grade 1 JLT Chase at Aintree on Friday – better known as the Melling Chase – in which last year's first and second Politologue and Min will renew rivalry.

The Venetia Williams-trained Aso, who finished a brave second to Frodon in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, is also set to run, along with Champion Chase fourth Hell's Hitchen, Waiting Patiently, God's Own, Top Notch and Woodland Opera.

The Aintree ground factor: who wants it good and who relishes the soft?

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