IF TODAY'S rescheduled Martell Grand National goes ahead and there are morbid, mostly unspoken fears that the cruel bomb threats which scarred the race on Saturday may be repeated - it will be a welcome return to reality for many of the central characters, but particularly for the jockeys.
Trainers may have been anxiously fretting over their Grand National horses, most of whom are stabled at Haydock Park racecourse. The Aintree executive may be desperately trying to foresee every eventuality, but the most visible sign of the chaos that has contributed to such a feeling of unreality has been the sight of jockeys, in their full battledress of silks, britches and boots, walking the streets of Liverpool.
Prevented from returning to the jockeys room to change out of their riding gear on Saturday, the riders had to think on their feet as they made their way back to Liverpool that night. "All I had on over my gear was an overcoat. When I got back to town I had to go into a shop and buy a pair of shoes. I can tell you I got some queer looks," said Conor O'Dwyer.
Other jockeys stood out even more. Francis Woods decided to fly back to Ireland immediately, but first had to collect his luggage. "I couldn't get back into the weighroom to change so I went down to the train station, jumped on the train to Liverpool Central in my silks, ran through the city centre to the hotel, grabbed a taxi and changed into a track suit in the taxi on the way to the airport," Woods revealed yesterday.
However, most of the fashion challenged riders were left to make the best of things in Liverpool where many were also the victims of the acute accommodation shortage. The Adelphi Hotel became their focal point and the nightclub there had the unusual experience of hosting several young men dressed for a rather different experience. Many of the others spent the night sleeping in seats in the lobby and 12 jockeys shared one room with one unfortunate drawing the short straw of sleeping in the bath.
The weekend had no respect for reputation either. Richard Dunwoody, the three times former champion jockey, only managed to leave Aintree in a horse box on Saturday, sharing the place of honour with Grand National runner Bishops Hall.
Earlier, Dunwoody had been besieged by autograph hunters outside the racecourse as he waited in vain to return and change. One Scouse youngster was less than impressed by the top rider, however, and was heard to ask him: "Who are you anyway?" Dunwoody could only smile and say: "These kids can make you feel very small."
In the aftermath of the bomb scare, a wry humour has taken hold of racing's finest as they attempt to deal with the disappointment of the Grand National disruption, but the feeling of unreality may not be over yet though.
This afternoon the Grand National will be the only race at the track. The two other abandoned races on Saturday's card will not take place. In an effort to increase what will be a vastly lower crowd than is normal to watch the National, entry to the Tattersalls enclosure will be free.
Vehicles will not be allowed on the course and an increased number of trains will run. Aintree's managing director Charles Barnett said: "Our staff are sparing no effort in preparing the course and facilities. We are overwhelmed by the support and encouragement we have received from so many quarters."
The famous fences which were damaged by some of the crowd on Saturday have been repaired and Ian Rent on, assistant clerk of the course, said: "It actually looked a lot worse than it is, but we have had to put a lot more spruce on the fences and repair some of the rails."
