Rain turns going soft but drier weather forecast for rest of meeting

The ground was "proper soft" after a day of rain at Aintree on Thursday but a drier outlook has been forecast for the remaining two days of the Grand National meeting.

The ground was soft all over after the third race on day one but clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said the surface had held up well, with the promise of fresh ground for ladies' day on Friday.

Speaking after racing on Thursday night, Andrew Tulloch said: "The forecast wasn't quite right and we got spiralling showers which then rotated around us all day. But the ground has held up really well.

"It's proper soft ground at the moment, but that, hopefully, should be nearly the last of the rain. There may be a few showers around but it should be a lot drier for the rest of the meeting.

"That means the going will be on the easier side, certainly through tomorrow, and we'll just have to see what Saturday brings for Grand National day.

"We're on fresh ground tomorrow. All the rail will be moved in tonight – a good four yards on all the bends."

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