02.04.08 - THE GRAND NATIONAL, RACING AT AINTREE

Friday's Grade One Chase and the latest going report

If tomorrow's Aintree card is top heavy with talent, Friday's feast boasts the most highly-rated horse in training - racing fans will not need a high IQ to work out that the horse in question is Master Minded.

A mere five years old, the Nicholls-trained Master Minded put up a sensational performance when landing the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, but six rivals have been declared to take him on in Aintree's £200,000 Grade One John Smith's Melling Chase (3.10pm) - they include Monet's Garden, who won the race 12 months ago, but may run in the totesport Bowl tomorrow instead.

Other notable candidates are Voy Por Ustedes, Newmill and Tamarinbleu, who were second, fifth and seventh to Master Minded at Cheltenham, plus Mister McGoldrick, who won the Festival's Racing Post Plate for trainers Sue and Harvey Smith. The final runner is the Peter Bowen-trained Yes Sir.

GOING LATEST

The going at Aintree has changed this afternoon on the Grand National course to good to soft, good in places, with a GoingStick reading of 6.3, from good to soft. The Mildmay and hurdle courses are now good (from good, good to soft in places), with a GoingStick reading of 7.4.

Andrew Tulloch, Aintree's clerk of the course, said at 4pm today: "We have had no rain today and there has been selective watering of the Mildmay and hurdle courses to maintain good going.

"Another dry day is forecast tomorrow and we could have light drizzle on Friday. We will keep assessing the ground and watering can take place if needed.

"I am pleased with the condition of the ground on all three courses and especially on the Grand National track which offers ideal jumping ground."