HIS first experience of Aintree was walking the course after the race had been run as an eight-year-old.

Now Phil Smith is one of the key ingredients of the build-up to the John Smith’s Grand National.

The Liverpool-born former schoolteacher has been entrusted with the task of providing the weights and framing the handicap for the Aintree marathon for the past 14 years. And for someone born and brought up in Allerton, who went to Quarrybank school, it is a real labour of love.

This year the British Horseracing Authority’s Head Of Handicapping had to cope with some subtle changes – no six-year-olds are now allowed to run and horses must have finished in the first four of a three-mile chase to be allowed entry into the world’s greatest steeplechase. But having been both delighting and infuriating trainers for more than a decade the 62-year-old has become adept at helping make the race the spectacle that it is.

This year there may only be 82 entries, but Smith believes the quality of the race continues to rise.

As he unveiled the fruits of his labour at the gathering of the jump racing fraternity at the launch of the Grand National in the Savoy Hotel, in London’s West End earlier this week, former amateur footballer Smith – who played for Altrincham, Northwich and Marine – said: “There is absolutely no question that this is the best. Eleven of the top 17 in the weights have won their last race and the other six have been placed, something that has not happened in my 14 Grand Nationals.”

He added: “I am hugely privileged to do this. I really take it seriously. There are very few people over the last 40 years who have done the weights for the Grand National, probably three or four maximum since the War. I absolutely love it. Liverpool is a wonderful part of the world and the National brings the place alive, it’s a honour to be a part of it.”