Racing / Grand National: Rain threatens a second Grand National washout in two years

(First Edition)

A mud-spattered Adrian Maguire returns to the unsaddling enclosure at Aintree on Meleagris after finishing third in the Mildmay Novices Chase yesterday. The Grand National, declared void 12 months ago after two false starts and due to be run today, may be abandoned if there is further bad weather, writes Richard Edmondson.

Persistent and torrential rain at the course yesterday saw going turn from good to soft to heavy. There will be a 6am inspection this morning.

Should the race be called off, course officials have contingency plans, but these were not disclosed.

More than 100 ground staff were repairing the course last night and were back on duty at dawn. They are likely to be met by a dry start, though showers, and possibly snow, are forecast. The threat of saboteurs, who contributed to last year's fiasco, slipped into the background as the rain seemed to do their job.

Ian Renton, assistant clerk of the course, said: 'At present we are not worried. The conditions are extremely testing and it's heavy ground, but it's perfectly safe. It is very free-draining ground here. A dry night will certainly improve conditions markedly and the water does get away quickly here.'

Andy Norman, promotions director of the British Athletics Federation, was sacked from his pounds 65,000 job after being linked with the suicide of the coach and journalist Cliff Temple.

Report, page 52

Rumour, innuendo and the death of a coach, page 46

Two-page Grand National special, pages 48, 49

(Photograph omitted)