INN AT THE TOP TO MISS NATIONAL

Jim Turner is reluctantly resigned to taking Inn At The Top out of tomorrow`s Martell Grand National because of the gruelling conditions.

The North Yorkshire trainer/farmer will not risk the nine-year-old at Aintree after heavy rain yesterday made the ground testing.

'It`s very unlikely he`ll run. Obviously I`ll have to let Weatherbys know this morning,' said Turner.

'I`ve had a word with the owners and they said I can do whatever I think is right.

'If it`s going to be really hock deep it`s pointless running him.

'It`s sickening for all the stable and everybody.

'I had a word with his jockey Adie (Smith) last night and he`s fed up as well. There`s nothing we can do.'

Inn At The Top`s withdrawal will allow the Irish-trained Merry People, the first of four reserves, to take his place in the #500,000 spectacular.

Inn At The Top was a best-priced 16-1 shot for the National with the leading bookmakers after advertising his claims by finishing second in the Great Yorkshire Chase at Doncaster on his latest start in January.

Turner is now eyeing the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown in three weeks` time for Inn At The Top.

'Whitbread will be the next one,' he remarked.

And he is hoping the weather at Aintree will be kinder next year to give Inn At The Top the chance to run in the National.

'I hope we can come back next year,' he added.

Ironically, conditions at Aintree have improved slightly following a dry night, but rain is forecast later today.

Clerk of the course Ian Renton said: 'At the moment conditions are a little bit improved.

'We had a dry night but the bad news is there is more rain forecast today - not as much rain as yesterday. We are though talking about definite rain from probably in the not too distant future through the afternoon.'

The going is soft on the Grand National course and soft, good to soft in places on the Mildmay and Hurdle courses.