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I remember last year the clerk of the course was calling it really soft prior to the meeting...it wasnt...any locals about who know the current/expected ground conditions ?
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trying to find the Turftrax link
anyone got it for Aintree
anyone got it for Aintree
found this weather forecast which is expecting 20mm of rain in the week running up to aintree...dryish friday and saturday but winds from 20-28 mph....that would suggest a gruelling race to me.
http://www.yourweather.co.uk/weather_Aintree-Europe-United+Kingdom-Sefton--nxw-126788.html
http://www.yourweather.co.uk/weather_Aintree-Europe-United+Kingdom-Sefton--nxw-126788.html
6 inches of snow covered the track over weekend. Still a covering
Looking at the latest Long Range forecast from the met today I would hazard a guess at FROZEN. Do they have frost covers ???
If it came to that presume they would use Cheltenham's as they are part of the same group
The snow needs to melt and the ground has to be completely frost free before covers could go down. It's difficult to see that happening in the next week given the forecast.
Daytime temps are 6 degrees this week and even warmer next week.
Really am annoyed about the ground because that's the only thing putting me off Balthazar King at the moment. He needs good and given the weather this week and the forecast for next week it's 1.01 that their will be (soft) in some part of the going! 
Cheltenham's frost covers wouldn't get half way round Springy! But there's no threat of frost in the forecast, it's due to go up to 7 or 8. I'm in Yorkshire and we still have 3-4 feet of snow in places (drifts), but the ground isn't frozen underneath.
Clerk said recently it was nearly good in places, GS/soft places on National course. There's no rain to speak of forecast now and the winds will be drying it out. I would say the ground will depend on how much they water, pure and simple. They seem to think it's the right thing to do to water to make it good-soft nowadays. I don't understand this at all, but there it is.
Clerk said recently it was nearly good in places, GS/soft places on National course. There's no rain to speak of forecast now and the winds will be drying it out. I would say the ground will depend on how much they water, pure and simple. They seem to think it's the right thing to do to water to make it good-soft nowadays. I don't understand this at all, but there it is.
Its very, very rare that there isn't good in the description at Aintree in April.
And Colldogg, Aintree have an improved watering system to ensure that the going is always gd/sft or softer. Some years this will probably be easier said than done but I don't think they'll have any problems this year.
And Colldogg, Aintree have an improved watering system to ensure that the going is always gd/sft or softer. Some years this will probably be easier said than done but I don't think they'll have any problems this year.
I find it amazing that despite the snow the hurdles track is good ground, given the forecast every chance of watering imho
i am no longer surprised at how quick Aintree dries. cant see them watering much to be honest if at all, as night time temps are still scheduled to drop below zero into next week, and surely the clerk of course wont want to drop a clanger if all of a sudden a cold blast returns to freeze the ground.
good ground perfect for me in the National so hopefully no rain and no watering
I live about a mile away from track, under the bridge, (ha) and yesterday most of snow and ice in my garden had cleared to reveal perfect good ground.
It is actually snowing very lightly now but whilst it is very cold the ground is not freezing.
Aintree same as my garden, drains well and frost does not seem to take hold.
Advantage to good ground horses.
My bet is too cold to rain heavilly so will stay that way.
If anyone interested I will put similar 'local' forecast up early next week.
Good Luck.
It is actually snowing very lightly now but whilst it is very cold the ground is not freezing.
Aintree same as my garden, drains well and frost does not seem to take hold.
Advantage to good ground horses.
My bet is too cold to rain heavilly so will stay that way.
If anyone interested I will put similar 'local' forecast up early next week.
Good Luck.
Would be blooming lovely to see some good ground at Aintree
They'll definitely water given the new stated policy of providing good to soft or softer for the race.
No, all I could find was a blank link judo, sorry. The piece in the Torygraph revealed the new policy, right or wrong they will water.
14 day forecast for Aintree http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=uk714day;sess=
yes we have the turftrax link, but the going map is blank
To early,netweather your best option as regards rainfall and possible state of going on April 6th
Although as mentioned by someone else,Aintree apparently always aim for the soft side of good.
Not sure how they can say that though as the time last year was 4.9 seconds faster than standard.
Advice ?unless theres significant rainfall during that week,tread carefully as regards supposed going reports.
Not sure how they can say that though as the time last year was 4.9 seconds faster than standard.
Advice ?unless theres significant rainfall during that week,tread carefully as regards supposed going reports.
There is a new policy starting 2013 to water and ensure soft side of good, story is here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/horseracing/9944256/Aintree-bans-firm-groun...
Not new,ive heard the clerk of the course many times say they aim for the soft side of good.
What they say and what is actually fact are 2 entirely different things.
Just look at Cheltenham,absolute farce.
What they say and what is actually fact are 2 entirely different things.
Just look at Cheltenham,absolute farce.
Oh FFS I give up. Read the article, they will not ALLOW the ground to be good again, is a new article with a new stricter policy. It also mentions several other changes for this year, most notably the softer core for the fences which means people can probably throw out Mordin's "unseated rider" stat.
Times will tell us on the first day.
But also beware of that,ive seen Aintree soft one day and fast side the next,its dries out that quick.
But also beware of that,ive seen Aintree soft one day and fast side the next,its dries out that quick.
The policy is just for the National itself, mildmay course won't necessarily be watered :)
Well wont be good according to thieveslikeus,thats already been stated.
If its drying weather the taps are going on.
If its drying weather the taps are going on.
So if they wont allow good ground again,you can rule out anything that wants it good or faster,period.
Here's the direct quote; Lord Daresbury, the chairman of Aintree, said that a commissioned statistical report had supported the intuition that there was a direct link between injury to horses and the state of the ground. The quicker the ground, the faster the pace, which led to a greater risk of injury in the event of a fall.
“We looked closely at all the statistics, and in discussion with trainers, we came more and more to the conclusion that ensuring ground that was always on the soft side of 'good’ was the right thing to do,” he said.
I don't like it or agree with it btw...
“We looked closely at all the statistics, and in discussion with trainers, we came more and more to the conclusion that ensuring ground that was always on the soft side of 'good’ was the right thing to do,” he said.
I don't like it or agree with it btw...
Well I would say that is a fair assessment.
Makes a lot of sense.
Makes a lot of sense.
Harsh for the speed merchants,but this is jumping and theyre acting in the interests of the horses.
If you've got a fantasticly bred horse whose pedigree would look more at home in the derby,tough.
If you've got a fantasticly bred horse whose pedigree would look more at home in the derby,tough.
I certainly think they need to avoid running it on anything with firm in it but don't see why good jumping is such an issue.
Maybe,but looks like the animal rights activists are gradually getting their way.
Fences are getting easier,reduced numbers,ditches filled,specific goings not allowed.
Still a great race.
Fences are getting easier,reduced numbers,ditches filled,specific goings not allowed.
Still a great race.
Lovely cold but dry day at Aintree, no rain forecast for the next week, good covering of grass on the course quite possibly be good or even fast side of good if present conditions prevail.If cold temperatures persist it's difficult to see significant watering on the National course as a ground frost on raceday would cause further problems.
I'm sitting in the car park of Aintree Hospital as I write this. It's a lovely drying day today. It's cold, car says 3 degrees, but its dry, with blue skies and a few fluffy clouds.
AINTREE Going National - Soft, Good to Soft in places Mildmay and Hurdle - Good to Soft.
Aintree Rails: Mildmay & Hurdle - all running rails and hurdles on outer line. Bends will be moved in each day.
Aintree Rails: Mildmay & Hurdle - all running rails and hurdles on outer line. Bends will be moved in each day.
I don't think it makes any sense at all. It is fairly obvious that falls on firmer ground are more likely to cause injury, but they seem to have forgotten that on soft ground there are a lot more falls. On heavy you rarely get more than half a dozen finishers. In Red Maurader's year there were 2 that got round without remounting.
Watering to remove "firm" from the ground is fine on safety grounds. Watering to make it softer than good is grossly unfair and damages the sport enormously.
Watering to remove "firm" from the ground is fine on safety grounds. Watering to make it softer than good is grossly unfair and damages the sport enormously.
Another cold but dry day in North Liverpool.
I think the going will be whatever the Clerk makes it, still perfect in my garden.
I think the going will be whatever the Clerk makes it, still perfect in my garden.
I agree, windy all weekend and temps around 8/9 degrees next week will mean the ground will be all down to the clerk....
Which has already been discussed.
The clerk WILL insure its on the soft side,rain or no rain.
No guessing involved this year.
The clerk WILL insure its on the soft side,rain or no rain.
No guessing involved this year.
Will he really water when our weather is so unpredictable and risk a bog? I can see him leaving the ground and being good on the day.
Watering will commence should it dry out,and Aintree does dry out quick.
New policy.
Read earlier posts.
New policy.
Read earlier posts.
Ah right, so the chairman of Aintree was putting us away? Sigh. Yes, he will risk a bog rather than good ground.
Well now we have the ground cleared up a week before the race I hope Hobbs has read this post and decided to scratch Balthazar king because their is no point him turning up if we aren't getting gd ground. I guess we best start gambling on the mudlarks like Giles Cross last year as it's certain to be heavy like last year. 
Quoted on RP website
Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "We are just drying out very gradually. It looks like most of next week will be similar while getting a couple of degrees warmer. I think we will be doing a bit of selective watering.
Clerk of the course Andrew Tulloch said: "We are just drying out very gradually. It looks like most of next week will be similar while getting a couple of degrees warmer. I think we will be doing a bit of selective watering.
Watering yesterday on both the National and Mildmay courses, looks like another dry day at Aintree, cold but beautiful morning with clear skies.
Forecast via netweather,rain tomorrow 95 % chance,tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 50 % chance.
Note also Mccoys comments on who he will ride,He told The Daily Telegraph: "Sunnyhillboy is experienced at Aintree, having all but won the race a year ago when he was pipped on the post by Neptune Collonges.
"He would be in the half-dozen you would pick that are almost guaranteed to get around. He is well again and I would be confident that Jonjo O'Neill has him at the top of his game.
"Against him is that he likes proper good ground and is 10lb higher in the Handicap this time.
"Colbert Station is, at nine, a year younger. He has won on all types of ground, is much less exposed and I have huge respect for trainer Ted Walsh.
"Against him is his chasing experience, or lack of it.
"He has only run in five chases, but he feels like a natural and won the 28-runner Paddy Power Chase without a semblance of a mistake. That was like a mini-National.
"There are very good cases for both horses and it is going to be a difficult choice."
"AGAINST HIM IS THAT HE LIKES PROPER GOOD GROUND" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you not think hes telling us something here ? ie it will be on soft side like the new course policy stated.
Note also Mccoys comments on who he will ride,He told The Daily Telegraph: "Sunnyhillboy is experienced at Aintree, having all but won the race a year ago when he was pipped on the post by Neptune Collonges.
"He would be in the half-dozen you would pick that are almost guaranteed to get around. He is well again and I would be confident that Jonjo O'Neill has him at the top of his game.
"Against him is that he likes proper good ground and is 10lb higher in the Handicap this time.
"Colbert Station is, at nine, a year younger. He has won on all types of ground, is much less exposed and I have huge respect for trainer Ted Walsh.
"Against him is his chasing experience, or lack of it.
"He has only run in five chases, but he feels like a natural and won the 28-runner Paddy Power Chase without a semblance of a mistake. That was like a mini-National.
"There are very good cases for both horses and it is going to be a difficult choice."
"AGAINST HIM IS THAT HE LIKES PROPER GOOD GROUND" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you not think hes telling us something here ? ie it will be on soft side like the new course policy stated.
Dry day again today, I will keep the forum updated should that situation change, but as it stands the Clerk of the Course has got a hell of a job trying to ensure anything like soft is in the going description,
Looks like they are sticking to the new policy then.
DAILY TELEGRAPH April 1st 2013.
Aintree has run its last fast-ground Grand National. Starting from this year’s race, on April 6, the course will be watered as a matter of routine to provide going that is never any quicker than 'good to soft’.
In the most significant move yet to minimise the risk to horses and riders, the Aintree executive is effectively reshaping the race to fit modern requirements, at the same time trying to retain the character of jump racing’s ultimate challenge.
There will never be a repeat of Mr Frisk’s 1990 triumph when, on ground officially termed 'firm’, the Kim Bailey-trained gelding set a record time of 8min 47.8sec.
Lord Daresbury, the chairman of Aintree, said that a commissioned statistical report had supported the intuition that there was a direct link between injury to horses and the state of the ground. The quicker the ground, the faster the pace, which led to a greater risk of injury in the event of a fall.
We looked closely at all the statistics, and in discussion with trainers, we came more and more to the conclusion that ensuring ground that was always on the soft side of 'good’ was the right thing to do,” he said.
DAILY TELEGRAPH April 1st 2013.
Aintree has run its last fast-ground Grand National. Starting from this year’s race, on April 6, the course will be watered as a matter of routine to provide going that is never any quicker than 'good to soft’.
In the most significant move yet to minimise the risk to horses and riders, the Aintree executive is effectively reshaping the race to fit modern requirements, at the same time trying to retain the character of jump racing’s ultimate challenge.
There will never be a repeat of Mr Frisk’s 1990 triumph when, on ground officially termed 'firm’, the Kim Bailey-trained gelding set a record time of 8min 47.8sec.
Lord Daresbury, the chairman of Aintree, said that a commissioned statistical report had supported the intuition that there was a direct link between injury to horses and the state of the ground. The quicker the ground, the faster the pace, which led to a greater risk of injury in the event of a fall.
We looked closely at all the statistics, and in discussion with trainers, we came more and more to the conclusion that ensuring ground that was always on the soft side of 'good’ was the right thing to do,” he said.
the ground will be good to soft. its been dry for a few days here and will continue.
Would be interested to know as to what day / time they can water the ground up to, there hasn't been any rain in the area for over a week and none forecast over the next few days, Clerk of Course has a right job on his hands to ensure soft is in the going description over such a vast expanse of ground as the National course, imo.
Will they not just call it good to soft no matter what? If they overwater and **** up and it's dead and on slow side they will call it good/soft and if it's pretty much good they will call it good/soft to appease the RSPCA etc and say they took the necessary precautions. Just like it's almost always good to soft on the first day of Cheltenham. So what they say it is and what it is may be very different.
Another day without rain.
Some clouds early on but dry and cold as it has been all week.
Put bin out just now 22.00, have to really kick heel into the grass to make impact, right or wrong, they will be watering soon.
Some clouds early on but dry and cold as it has been all week.
Put bin out just now 22.00, have to really kick heel into the grass to make impact, right or wrong, they will be watering soon.
Watering already.
TURFTRAX.
Course Aintree
Next Race Thursday 4th April
Report Date Monday 1st April; 15:30
Going National: Good to Soft (Good in places), MM & H: Good (Good to Soft in places)
GoingStick MM & H: 7.6
Additional Information Selective watering National course - 3mm/5mm
TURFTRAX.
Course Aintree
Next Race Thursday 4th April
Report Date Monday 1st April; 15:30
Going National: Good to Soft (Good in places), MM & H: Good (Good to Soft in places)
GoingStick MM & H: 7.6
Additional Information Selective watering National course - 3mm/5mm
Agreed Shrewd_duce. They will make it up and the going will include soft in the description regardless. As ever it is the time of the races that will tell the true story but the official going is guaranteed to have the word soft in it.
Probably something in that.
It is actually sunny now!
My money is down already but if there was a horse who liked the top of the ground or the 'artificial' conditions selective watering brings.... worth a go.
It is actually sunny now!
My money is down already but if there was a horse who liked the top of the ground or the 'artificial' conditions selective watering brings.... worth a go.
Notice no comments made recently,so for the benefit of the layers trying to throw punters and the d o p e s that just don't listen,here is the analysis from day 1.
2.00 1 L'Unique 10/1 Won 2 races on soft.winning time today 4m 6.60s (slow by 13.60s)
2.30 1 First Lieutenant 7/2 Won on going ranging from heavy to good.winning time today 6m 25.40s (slow by 18.40s)
3.05 1 Zarkandar 11/2 Won 2 races on heavy,5 on good to soft,1 on good.winning time today 5m 3.90s (slow by 20.90s)
3.40 1 Tartan Snow 100/1 Won 2 races on heavy,1 on soft,3 on good to soft.winning time today 5m 38.90s (slow by 17.90s)
4.15 1 Oiseau De Nuit 20/1 Won 2 races on heavy,1 on soft,3 on good to soft,1 on good.winning time today 3m 58.00s (slow by 9.00s)
4.50 1 Captain Conan 6/5F Won 1 race on heavy,1 on very soft,3 on soft.winning time today 5m 7.00s (slow by 19.00s)
So with the best time of the day in the 17 runner 5th race,can we now accept it was at least good to soft as they stated it would be ?.
I think they have done a very good job irrespective of one horse dying over the National fences.
(Katie Walsh's mount Battlefront, trained by her father Ted, collapsed and died during the Fox Hunter's Chase after being pulled up at the 11th fence.)
2.00 1 L'Unique 10/1 Won 2 races on soft.winning time today 4m 6.60s (slow by 13.60s)
2.30 1 First Lieutenant 7/2 Won on going ranging from heavy to good.winning time today 6m 25.40s (slow by 18.40s)
3.05 1 Zarkandar 11/2 Won 2 races on heavy,5 on good to soft,1 on good.winning time today 5m 3.90s (slow by 20.90s)
3.40 1 Tartan Snow 100/1 Won 2 races on heavy,1 on soft,3 on good to soft.winning time today 5m 38.90s (slow by 17.90s)
4.15 1 Oiseau De Nuit 20/1 Won 2 races on heavy,1 on soft,3 on good to soft,1 on good.winning time today 3m 58.00s (slow by 9.00s)
4.50 1 Captain Conan 6/5F Won 1 race on heavy,1 on very soft,3 on soft.winning time today 5m 7.00s (slow by 19.00s)
So with the best time of the day in the 17 runner 5th race,can we now accept it was at least good to soft as they stated it would be ?.
I think they have done a very good job irrespective of one horse dying over the National fences.
(Katie Walsh's mount Battlefront, trained by her father Ted, collapsed and died during the Fox Hunter's Chase after being pulled up at the 11th fence.)
Thanks for that analysis 247, saves me drudging through it :)
Course Aintree
Next Race Thursday 4th April
Report Date Thursday 4th April; 12:45
Going National: Good to Soft (Good in places), MM & H: Good (Good to Soft in places)
GoingStick National: 6.0, MM: 7.0, H: 6.8
Additional Information Selective watering all courses to maintain.
Done a good job so far,review tomorrows times after racing.
Looking like dead ground for the national based on todays races,although can dry out very quick if the suns out so hope they do as good a job for Friday/Saturday as they did on the opening day.
Next Race Thursday 4th April
Report Date Thursday 4th April; 12:45
Going National: Good to Soft (Good in places), MM & H: Good (Good to Soft in places)
GoingStick National: 6.0, MM: 7.0, H: 6.8
Additional Information Selective watering all courses to maintain.
Done a good job so far,review tomorrows times after racing.
Looking like dead ground for the national based on todays races,although can dry out very quick if the suns out so hope they do as good a job for Friday/Saturday as they did on the opening day.
Watering stepped up at Aintree
The whole track was irrigated after racing with the aim to provide similar conditions for day two of the meeting. Clerk Andrew Tulloch said: "We put 3-4mm on the whole course to maintain the going." It was on the easy side of good on Thursday.
The whole track was irrigated after racing with the aim to provide similar conditions for day two of the meeting. Clerk Andrew Tulloch said: "We put 3-4mm on the whole course to maintain the going." It was on the easy side of good on Thursday.
Ground is actually firm with hard patches 247, they got all the horses to run deliberately slow in every race to fool everyone 
Can understand punters wondering about the watering achieving its goal,we have all been well mugged by those bandits bandits up at Cheltenham on more than one occasion.
Honest northerners wouldn't lie about such things.
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