Watering to begin again on Monday as dry forecast poses challenges

Aintree clerk of the course Sulekha Varma is confident day one of the Randox Grand National meeting will begin on good to soft ground, despite a dry forecast which requires watering to take place again on Monday.

A total of ten millimetres of water was added to the Mildmay course during the week, while 6mm was applied to the National course with conditions described as good, good to soft in places on the Mildmay and good to soft, good in places on the National track on Sunday.

However, both tracks are continuing to dry out and despite some forecast snow flurries, the level of rainfall is expected to be insufficient to irrigate the course naturally, and Varma revealed the decision had been made to recommence watering earlier than planned.

Grand National card

She told the Racing Post: "It is what it is really. We've had a dry period of weather and it has been warmer during the day than we had been told originally. The ground has quickened slightly and there's not a huge amount of rain, if any, forecast, so we are going to move forward with our irrigation."

Varma also said there was a high possibility more watering could take place ahead of the three-day meeting, which begins on Thursday with the Grand National taking place at 5.15 on Saturday.

"The forecast is clearer in terms of rainfall now, but the cold weather isn't helpful from a practical point of view in terms of preparing the course, but that's manageable," she added. "At the moment the rainfall we are forecast is not going to be enough to keep the ground dry, so we have to start irrigating.

"Our usual aim is we try to keep it good to soft on the National course and certainly start on good to soft on the Mildmay."

Read more on the 2021 Grand National festival:

O'Leary: Tiger Roll goes to Aintree and there will be no humble pie if he wins

Song For Someone to face top-class rivals in Aintree Hurdle next Thursday

Evan Williams turns to James Bowen for Grand National ride on Secret Reprieve

O'Neill confident about Cloth Cap's chances but his price is 'crackers'

Another Papillon? Ted Walsh-trained Any Second Now primed for Grand National bid

Jamie Codd preparing to do lowest weight in 17 years on Irish National contender

Check out the Racing Post Grand National microsite for the latest tips and odds for the big race. The best Grand National betting advice and exclusive free betting offers all in one place.