Aintree chairman struggling to get the hang of the National

Grand National sponsors Randox Health have installed a natty gadget in the Aintree press room offering what they are calling a True Age Challenge.

A body composition analysis machine measures the basal metabolic rate - the rate at which the body consumes calories for basic processes and functions while at rest - plus body fat percentage, bone mass and so on, and comes up with a 'true age' rather than a birth age for anyone brave enough to try it.

It will come as no surprise to learn that Sir Anthony McCoy came out rather better than most press men, with a body age ten years younger than his birth age, while Andy Thornton did even better at minus 15 years.