A Small Adjustment with a Big Impact on the Grand National

I couldn’t remember the last time I had visited the track, but it had been a number of years. On that occasion, I had made a short diversion off the M40 and watched a couple of races while heading home from a northern trip.

This time, I was at Warwick to work, but it undoubtedly felt like a place to enjoy yourself, which I most definitely did. Thanks to broadcaster and commentator Stewart Machin, I also came away with an eminently sensible idea for the Randox Grand National.

Warwick’s customers watched what in theory was a Grand National trial on Saturday. The problem with this year’s Wigley Group Classic Chase was that precious few of the runners had the slightest chance of getting into the April 13 line-up, let alone emulating 2017 Aintree hero One For Arthur.

My Silver Lining will still be miles off the Grand National’s likely cut-off point, having won off a BHA rating of 122. Runner-up Galia Des Liteaux should get a run after finishing an excellent second off 142, but connections could yet end up frustrated when final declarations are made.