Grand National starter McDonald confident of being in charge

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Chaotic scenes ensued 12 months ago when senior starter Peter Haynes's repeated attempts at getting the National runners off ended in a delay of over eight minutes.

On his marks: Sean McDonald will be starting this week's Grand National

Haynes has been overlooked this year in favour of his deputy, a former conditional jockey, and McDonald is relishing the challenge.

He said: "I'm looking forward to it. The adrenalin will be flowing, but I don't do nerves when I'm working. The only time I get nervous is when I'm going to play in a medal competition at golf."

Changes have been made to the process for the start of this year's event. Jockeys have been told to line up behind a sand line 20 yards in front of the tape which they cannot cross before the starter begins the race.

With millions watching around the world, McDonald cannot afford a repeat of last year.

He added: "I know everyone will be watching me, but when you start major races you are completely oblivious to the crowd. I'll be having a chat with the jockeys before the race. Hopefully they'll listen to me."

After last year's debacle, bookmakers Paddy Power formed a market on how late this year's National would be off, offering 7-4 that the runners would be dispatched between five and 10 minutes after the scheduled start.

Meanwhile, the tradition of two mounted police horses leading the National winner back in to the winner's enclosure has been dropped in an attempt to reduce overcrowding.

Emma Owen, Aintree's marketing and PR manager, said: "We have carried out a review of how the winner's enclosure works. One of the changes is that there won't be the police horses leading in the winner.

The decision will come as a blow to Bernard Hogan-Howe, the chief constable of Merseyside Police, who will not complete a hat-trick of appearances alongside the National winner.