Aintree still expecting rain in run-up to Friday
Last Updated: 04/04/14 10:16am
Aintree clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch says that forecast rain means he should not have to water the track.
A band of rain expected to hit the track on Wednesday night failed to materialise, meaning the going had dried out to 'good' for the start of racing on Thursday.
But Tulloch is more confident that rain will now reach the track before the start of action on Friday, saying: "We are expecting 5-6mm overnight, probably easing off before dawn, and then maybe some hazy drizzle in the morning that should clear up.
"That should be ideal and means we won't be watering. All of the hurdle rails will be moved in so there will be fresh ground which won't have been raced on, so is likely to ride easier regardless of the weather.
"Of the jockeys who rode in the hurdle races today, some said that the going was good, others said good to soft, and I should think tomorrow it will be easier than that.
"Saturday's forecast suggests that there will be light drizzle around, but there shouldn't be more than a millimetre, and we're not likely to get the direct sunshine or high temperatures that we had last weekend."
The first day of the meeting attracted a record crowd of 33,456, 1,116 ahead of the previous record crowd for the opening day, 32,340, seen last year.
John Baker, Jockey Club Racecourses North West Regional Director, commented: "It is excellent to see so many people enjoying world-class racing at Aintree today.
"The first-day race programme has been improved, with four Grade One races, and we were rewarded with really competitive action and a record crowd.
"Ladies Day tomorrow should be another tremendous day, with tickets available on the gate, before the Crabbie's Grand National on Saturday which is a sell-out."