Racing was quick to leap to the defence of Aintree yesterday after reported criticism of the Martell Grand National course by Jenny Pitman.

The Jockey Club echoed the views of the course authorities in playing down alleged comments, believed to have been made in a confidential memorandum, in which the trainer claimed the track was "dangerous".

Mrs Pitman, who ironically is nicknamed the "Queen of Aintree" after winning the world's most famous steeplechase with Corbiere and Royal Athlete, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

But she is thought to be unhappy at the leaking of her alleged remarks, which were intended solely for the Jockey Club and Aintree as part of an official investigation into the death of three horses in this year's race.

Aintree managing director Charles Barnett stressed that her reported comments were taken "very seriously".

He confirmed he had spoken to the trainer at 8 a.m. on the morning of the Grand National but added that 80 members ground staff had carried out repair work before the start of the day's racing.

"If anything I think there may be some misunderstanding on the timing. Our ground staff were working on the course from 8 a.m. until the first race. We had 80 staff around the course doing various tasks," added Barnett.

The Aintree boss said suggestions that the maximum numbers of runners in the Grand National should be reduced to 30 - reportedly recommended by Mrs Pitman - would be addressed during the annual review of the race.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, who won the Grand National with Earth Summit, was surprised at reported criticism of the course. "I had no worries at all on the morning of the race," the trainer said. "Mrs Pitman could have taken her horse out of the race.

"To whinge afterwards doesn't help anybody and doesn't help the image of racing."