Aintree turn the taps on

With most forecasters suggesting no more than an occasional shower for the Merseyside area in the week leading up to the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 9, clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch has instructed ground staff to begin watering to maintain 'good' ground for the big race, writes Elliot Slater.

Tulloch has asked his team to water the entire Grand National track, but at present there are no plans to also try and maintain the ground on the Mildmay course for both hurdles and chase. The decision to water will be met with mixed reactions by trainers whose horses need one type of ground or another. Those whose horses need to get their toe in and can only produce their best form on a soft surface will be pleased that some action is being take to take the sting out of the ground, whilst on the other side of the coin those whose horses have been waiting all winter for decent ground will be disappointed that the clerk of the course is meddling with natural conditions. As the Grand National 2011 start time approaches, one or two horses may drop out because of this.

This is always the dilemma for anyone in charge of a racecourse and responsible for producing a racing surface that gives a fair chance to as many runners as possible in the race. If the forecasters have got it wrong (not unheard of!) and the heavens open, Tulloch will come in for a great deal of stick. On balance, (and in view of the fact that injuries are far more likely on a faster surface and animal rights groups would be the first to protest at the race even being run), the decision seems sensible, at this stage in proceedings.

If the going is genuinely 'good' and there will of course be a lush covering of grass, there should be few complaints from most trainers, owners, or jockeys.