Grand National weights: Handicapper Phil Smith exercises National caution

Phil Smith has revealed he has been a lot more cautious in his approach to weighing up the entries for this year's Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree.

The British Horseracing Authority chief handicapper believes he has been more stringent in compressing the weights for the April 11 showpiece this term, resulting in joint-top weight and Irish Hennessy hero Carlingford Lough being able to run off 5lb lower than his current mark of 166.

"The compression of the horses I have done this year is a lot less than in previous years gone by," said Smith, who was attending the Grand National weights lunch at London's Royal Opera House.

"On average I have compressed them by 8lb, but this year I have compressed them by 5lb and there is good reason for that with the likes of Carlingford Lough, Many Clouds, Unioniste and Lord Windermere in the race.

"They are progressive horses. Most (horses) I have compressed have been around the block, but I still don't know what those at the top can do and that is why I have been a lot more cautious at the top.

"I think this is what makes this year's race so exciting, as it is littered all the way down through the runners with progressive horses rather than horses that have run in the race for quite a few years."

In previous years, Smith - who is in his 17th year of handling the National handicap - has received plenty of calls from owners and trainers pleading to drop their horses weight, but this year he claims the roles have been reversed.

"The whole complexion of the race has changed massively this year," said Smith.

"I must have had seven phone calls from trainers and owners asking for their horses to be put up in weight to get a run in the race.

"Ten years ago I would have them asking for their horses to be dropped. This is now the fact that we get better horses in the race and more people are worried about their horse getting in the race."

One thing Smith hopes he has achieved is to have brought last year's winner Pineau De Re (11st) and runner-up Balthazar King (11st 2lb) closer together by giving the pair slight rises in the weights. Last year the pair carried 10st 6lb and 10st 13lb respectively.

"Pineau De Re is up 8lb from last year and the question is would that stop him? If Dr Richard Newland can get him in the same fantastic condition as last year he has got a good chance," said Smith.

"Equally so does Balthazar King, who effectively has a 5lb swing in the weights. This is the puzzle I have set people this year."