'It's a real challenge' - Aintree forecast presents watering dilemma

Officials at Aintree will decide whether to water on a daily basis until the Grand National meeting gets underway on Thursday, with an unpredictable forecast causing a headache for the track's clerk of the course.

The going on the Grand National course is good, good to soft in places and good on the Mildmay track and watering resumed on both courses on Friday and Saturday, with 5mm applied on both days due to an expected dry weekend.

However, uncertain forecasts which could either see Aintree hit with some rain, heavy showers or even snow has left officials facing a dilemma over whether to continue watering before the three-day meeting gets underway.

Who are the Aintree contenders facing an anxious wait before the Grand National?

Clerk of the course Sulekha Varma said: "Early next week Aintree's sitting right in the middle of two weather bands and it really depends if we end up in the southern part of one, or northern part of another as to whether we get heavy rain or a bit of snow and wintry showers, or even if it's just showers. We're taking it day-by-day really.

"We're pleased with where we're at and the aim is to start on the slow side of good, but that will be governed by the weather. We'll have to see if we want to water again on Sunday the evening before."

Cheltenham's ground staff faced criticism for watering before day two of the festival, when a subsequent deluge of rain led to testing conditions, and Varma said Aintree has had its own challenges due to the severe cold spell which followed warm weather last week.

She said: "You know if you've got a dry forecast you just keep watering and get on with it. That's all fine, but it's the changeability which is a real challenge. We've had some cold mornings which have slowed the team down, you can't get going when it's frosty.

"We couldn't even get on the track some mornings, then you go back to last week and we were basking in bright sunshine in 22C. It has been very changeable and we have to take each day as it comes because of it."

Star novices Jonbon and Walking On Air among Henderson day two Aintree team

Nicky Henderson could field a powerful string on the second day of the Grand National meeting in his bid to claw back the deficit on Paul Nicholls in the British trainers' championship after he entered 18 horses across the card on the Friday.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle second Jonbon could bid for a first Grade 1 success in the Betway Top Novices' Hurdle (2.20).

The Seven Barrows trainer is set to rely on Mister Fisher in the £250,000 Marsh Chase (3.30) – better known as the Melling – while another of his talented novice hurdlers Walking On Air, who missed the Cheltenham Festival, is entered in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle (4.40)

Aintree entries for Friday

The trainer could be represented by four runners in the Randox Topham Chase (4.05) over the National fences with Janika, Mister Coffey, Fantastic Lady and Morning Vicar all left in at the latest confirmations stage.

The 2019 Triumph Hurdle winner Pentland Hills could also make his return to action in the concluding 2m handicap hurdle for conditional and amateur riders (5.15), having been off the track for over two years since the 2020 Champion Hurdle.

Just as on the opening day, Willie Mullins could be set to field a small team despite being in the race for the title, but may have three runners in the Topham with Royal Rendezvous, Blackbow and Annamix all engaged.

A thrilling clash between L'Homme Presse, Bravemansgame and Ahoy Senor, which was dramatically denied at the festival, could belatedly happen after the trio featured among the entries for the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (2.55), in which 13 are entered.

L'Homme Presse: impressive Cheltenham winner could be in action at AintreeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Paul Nicholls-trained Bravemansgame is also entered in the Manifesto Novices' Chase on the opening day.

Minella Crooner, the ante-post favourite for the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham before missing the race due to a setback, could bid for compensation in the Sefton and was among 23 entries for the 3m½f Grade 1.

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