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Aintree to review how Grand National field is chosen

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HIGHLAND LODGE Aintree 5/12/2015

Becher winner Highland Lodge (right) is unlikely to get a run

  PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)  

 By Graham Dench 3:21PM 5 APR 2016 

AINTREE will hold wide-ranging discussions on the conditions for the first Randox Health Grand National in 2017 after qualification issues were brought to a head by the likelihood that former winner Pineau De Re and Aintree specialists Alvarado and Highland Lodge will miss the cut for Saturday’s race

After BHA head of handicapping Phil Smith on Tuesday reordered runners below the 40-horse cut-off point who were on the same weight, Haydock Grand National Trial winner Bishops Road moved up a place to 41 and needs only one above him to come out, but Pineau De Re has dropped to 46, Highland Lodge to 47 and Alvarado to 48.

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Aintree boss John Baker said: “The Grand National is evolving and has taken a different form over the last few years. The quality of the race improves all the time, which we wanted, but that has consequences.

“In the old days you could not have envisaged horses like Pineau De Re and Alvarado missing out, but having so many good horses looking to get into the race is a nice problem to have.”

‘Win and you’re in’ a possibility

So-called ‘win and you’re in’ races will be high on the list when the Aintree team have their annual wash-up.

Baker said: “We want the Becher Chase to be a proper Grand National Trial and to connect the two races. Highland Lodge, this season’s winner, might not get in, so that could possibly be a ‘win and you are in’ race, and similarly the Haydock Grand National Trial, because although Bishops Road may well get in now, there was a danger he wouldn’t.”

The Grand National is traditionally free of penalties, but Baker said Aintree might look into “something a little quirky like optional penalties”, which connections might accept with a runner who looked borderline to make the cut but decline if guaranteed a run.

Automatic qualification for previous winners or placed horses is less likely, however.

Baker said: “You could win a National at eight and still be racing five years later when rated down in the 120s. Would you really want one like that in?”

BHA open to discussions

Any proposals from Aintree’s side will need approval from the BHA, but the authority is increasingly open to innovative race conditions.

Spokesman Robin Mounsey said: “We would never rule any suggestions out before we have had a chance to consider any proposals fully.

“The current entry and handicapping approach seems to be working well, with the race going from strength to strength and arguably in 2016 producing the strongest ever running of the race.

“We would, however, be happy to discuss any proposals with Aintree or other stakeholders after this year’s meeting has concluded.”

Ground improves on Tuesday

Following a drying day on Merseyside on Tuesday, the going on the Grand National course improve to good to soft, soft in places at the Canal Turn.

Conditions also improved on the Mildmay Course, which was rated good to soft, good in places on Tuesday. The Hurdle Course remains good to soft, soft in places on the home straight.

Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: “It has been another drying day, with temperatures getting up to 12 Celsius. 

“The forecast is for unsettled weather and we could have rain each day from showers, along with sunny intervals and cooler conditions. 

“Showers, being unpredictable and intermittent, may deliver between two and five millimetres of rain each day. There is plenty of moisture in the ground after a wet winter.”

Don’t miss Wednesday’s Racing Post for all the latest news and build-up for Aintree’s Grand National meeting

 

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