THE john Smith’s Grand National needs to undergo a rebranding exercise in these recession-straitened times.

The tuppence-ha’penny National doesn’t have the same ring to it but will certainly be more accurate.

While there will be plenty of finery on display there is a more restrained approach to this year’s festival.

For months the conversations about corporate hospitality at Aintree have revolved around people explaining why this year they haven’t booked or have reduced the number of people they are inviting.

There just isn’t the appetite or budget for the extravaganzas of previous years.

It isn’t a problem unique to Aintree or to horse racing but symptomatic of the wider economy, with the lack of the corporate pound still causing problems for sporting venues next year and almost certainly longer.

This won’t detract from the racing itself which will be as exciting as ever. There remains something special about the Grand National race itself that holds everyone spellbound for its duration.

Even the plethora of gambling opportunities, from the National Lottery to online bingo, hasn’t reduced the attraction for those who make their annual trip to the bookmakers this weekend. Although picking the winner this year will provide a more rewarding bonus than usual.