Aintree likely to 'ride on the slow side' on Grand National day

Aintree is preparing itself for an unsettled and uncertain week of weather for the Randox Health Grand National Festival.

Sunshine, showers and little wind are likely to ensure the ground is on the slow side, especially for the big race itself on Saturday - if the forecast proves accurate.

Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "We've got a nice, bright day today. We've possibly got some rain coming in overnight and then mainly dry with a possible light shower Wednesday, then possibly looking a bit damp on Friday."

He added: "It looks a bit unsettled on Friday and it should ride on the slow side on Saturday. It just depends how much rain we get each night. We've had 10C yesterday and today with sun but no wind. It will dry out slowly and not that quickly. On Sunday, we were soft basically on the National course, soft, good to soft in places on the hurdles course, and the Mildmay was good to soft."