Barnett's goodbye

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The chief executive in waiting of Ascot, now 58, begins his final Grand National meeting today content that he leaves the Liverpool venue in better shape than when he was appointed 15 years ago.

Scroll down to read more:

Heading off to Ascot: Charles Barnett has done a first-class job at Aintree

The three-day Festival has developed into a genuine rival to Cheltenham for the affections of the jumping public with competitive, high-class fields and the world's greatest chase in a far healthier state.

There have been maximum fields of 40 for the Grand National for the past seven years, during a time when better class horses have been attracted to the race.

New grandstands, a new weighing room complex and one of the finest media centres in the world have demonstrated Barnett's acute awareness of substance as well as image.

In a month's time he leaves the delights of Merseyside and the scouse sense of humour for the more refined requirements of Royal Ascot.

Barnett said: "I'll miss all the friends and people I've worked with up here — we've got a fantastic team and Ascot will be a new challenge.

"We have concentrated on certain safety issues such as putting new bellies on the fences. A lot of the modifications (to Becher's and other fences) had been completed before my arrival.

"But we are safety conscious and have put down millions of gallons in the past fortnight to ensure good going. I am very conscious that speed kills but these are championship races."