Watering under way on Aintree's Grand National course after a dry week

Watering started on the National course on Tuesday with ten millimetres applied after a dry week and similar outlook for the next seven days.

Track officials plan to apply 14mm to the Mildmay course by the end of the week, with potential for rain to arrive in National week itself.

Sulekha Varma, Aintree's clerk of the course, said: "We started watering this week largely to keep the grass growing as it's been quite warm and sunny and we missed the majority of the rain that hit Cheltenham last week.

"We've been dry for a week now and we're keeping an eye on the forecasts. It looks like we may have another week or so of dry weather and then we're hoping this high pressure might break, but it's a bit too soon to say at this point.

Randox Grand National racecard and betting

"A lot can change in two weeks as it can in a day in this country so we will be monitoring it closely."

Aintree will welcome back racegoers to the three-day meeting for the first time since 2019, with the 2020 festival cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and last year's event held behind closed doors.

Varma said: "There's a good buzz about the place and the enclosure build is going really well. It's nice to see the structures going up and plans coming together like they used to – it feels a bit like the old days.

"It will be amazing to have racegoers back for the meeting as they are the ones that make the event. While it was a special day last year, with Rachael Blackmore winning the Grand National and seeing some other brilliant performances, it just wasn't the same without racegoers and we're really excited about having a crowd back and having that atmosphere again."

'We're excited to have her on board'

Henry de Bromhead dominated last year's Randox Grand National when supplying the first two home and has strengthened his squad for an Aintree repeat next month by adding talented mare Court Maid to his team.

Previously trained by Tom Mullins and owned by Rory Larkin, the nine-year-old has been purchased privately to race for Tony Smurfit in the £1 million Liverpool highlight on April 9.

She is guaranteed a run in the race, with her mark of 149 meaning the smart stayer will carry 10st 11lb if topweight Chris's Dream runs as expected.

Court Maid: finest hour came in the 2020 Porterstown Handicap ChaseCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

An eight-time winner from 29 career starts, Court Maid's finest hour came when landing the €125,000 Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse in November 2020. She is a general 66-1 chance.

"She's just joined our team and we're excited to have her on board," said De Bromhead.

"She's been here about two weeks and looks lovely. She's really nice and has got good form."

On his other potential candidates for the world's most famous race, De Bromhead added: "They're all good. Hopefully we've got a nice team, with Minella Times, Poker Party and Chris's Dream there too. We have a nice bunch."

Minella Times will bid to join Red Rum and Tiger Roll as the only back-to-back Grand National winners of the modern era when returning to the unique course next month, having led home sidelined stablemate Balko Des Flos for a famous victory 12 months ago.

Minella Times: preparing for a return to Aintree next monthCredit: Edward Whitaker

The JP McManus-owned performer carried just 10st 3lb when Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the great race last year.

However, he must shoulder 11st 9lb as the second-highest rated runner in the line up this time around, up to a mark of 161 (from 146 in 2021).

A top-priced 20-1 to repeat those heroics, Minella Times has only been seen twice this season, falling at third last when held in the John Durkan Memorial Chase then pulling up in a handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival.

"Minella Times is coming," said De Bromhead. "He's definitely getting there. He'll work this week and then we'll see from there."

Read more:

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

'Special mare' Snow Leopardess primed for Grand National after making the cut

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