Interesting thoughts
My take on the National now is that with the prize money so high and the course being made 'easier' more and more quality horses will be aimed for the race.
I believe the days of laying one out for the race could be numbered, trying to sneak one in at the bottom of the handicap could work against the trainers now because there are more higher rated horses being entered.
I will use one of my fancies for the race Home Farm as a perfect example.
HF ran a mighty race as a 6yo in the Irish Grand National and I'm pretty sure the plan was hatched to have a crack at the National back then. History says the best chance of winning is being a 9 or 10yo.
2015 he was entered and was allocated 11-02, connections probably thought that was too high, HF did run in Coneygree's Gold Cup after the weights were published and even though he Pulled up connections obviously thought it was worth a shot.
Come 2016 and after only one run over hurdles this season HF gets allocated 10-04, now I presume connections were very happy with this mark, another run since over hurdles to sharpen him up and hes ready to go to Aintree, but hang on will he get in (hopefully he will)
A lot of horses have been trained this way over the years but like I said earlier things could be about to change.

As I go through the runners it seems a shame that the race could be missing a previous winner in Pineau De Re and placed horses like Alvarado (twice) and Double Seven, last years Second is still only 41 on the list !!!!!
On top of that we have improving horses such as Bishops Road, This seasons Becher and Welsh National winners and recent Cheltenham winner Cause of Causes looking likely to miss the race when others above them are making up the numbers.

How can that be ?

I don't know what others reckon but I think it would be a good idea to have win and your in races (like the all weather champs day recently)

I would give all winners of previous Aintree Nationals a free pass
that seasons Hennessy, Becher, Welsh National and any Cheltenham Festival 3 mile+ Chase winner an automatic entry

Phil Smith and the gang could think of something along these lines to get the best horses in the National come raceday

Win and you're in or free passes look dangerous to me.  You'll end up letting washed up has beens into the race for the latter and horses that could be a stone out the weights for the former. 

Optional penalties surely the way to go?

It's all a bit too convoluted for me - how about putting the entry fee up by 5k - that should sort them out.

Could be a mix of both our thoughts 'The Headmaster'
They obviously read this Forum ;)

RP story today

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.

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."

dunlaying is very shrewd