Lure of £1 million Crabbie's Grand National proves irresistible However, Phil Smith, senior handicapper for the British Horseracing Authority, said that 14 of the entries have still not qualified to run. One of the qualifying clauses is that a Grand National runner must have finished in the first four in a chase over three miles or more. "Those who have yet to qualify have until March 17, or the weekend of the Midlands National, to do so," said Smith. His first task is to identify a top weight, but there are other major considerations, particularly the application of the Aintree factor, which is being more heavy-handed with those horses with a proven record around the course. "I have to be fair to all," Smith stressed. "You have to be fair to those at the top of the handicap and give them a chance, but at the same time, you cannot be unfair to those below them," he added. Significantly only two of the first six home last year - the third Teaforthree, and Swing Bill (sixth) - have been entered again. Auroras Encore, the winner, has been retired after fracturing a leg at Doncaster on Saturday. He underwent an operation on Tuesday and is reported to have come through it well. Hopes for a resumption of jump racing rest with Wincanton today, where there will be an inspection at 7.30 a.m after a forecast for overnight rain on already heavy ground. Today's Towcester card was abandoned yesterday as was tomorrow's meeting at Chepstow, but Catterick are confident that they will to race tomorrow. Fears for the ground on the hurdles course at Sandown on Saturday have prompted the BHA to sanction a provisional all chase card, with three extra races over fences added to the fixture. These will only be run if the hurdles track is unraceable. An extra seven-race all-weather Flat card will now take place at Wolverhampton.