THE Grand National dream was not to be for Highland Lodge as conditions conspired against him at Aintree.

On a sun-soaked April afternoon, one of the warmest days of the year, the James Moffatt-trained 11-year-old found the weather and the going not to his liking on his big day.

Unlike in his triumph in the 2015 Becher Chase over the same fences, and his second place in the 2016 renewal, he was running on ground which went away from Good to Soft towards Good as the day went on, and in unseasonable heat.

Despite leading the way over the early fences, and being in among the first four for the entirety of the first circuit of the four-and-a-quarter-mile marathon, it was not to be.

Jockey Henry Brooke, riding in the colours of the Cheveley Stud for the first time since Highland Lodge was purchased last week, pulled up the Cartmel horse just before the final fence, as One For Arthur went on to win under Derek Fox for trainer Lucinda Russell, becoming the first Scottish victor since 1979.

“The ground wasn’t in our favour, and I think the horse has overheated a little bit before the race,” said Brooke. “Despite that, he had done really well – he got tired, I pulled him up and looked after him. The main thing is the horse has got back safe, every jockey in the race has come back safe, and all the horses are okay.

“That’s the main thing today – and it’s brilliant that the north has had a winner as well.”

Highland Lodge, the only horse in the field with a red saddlecloth, for the Pancreatic Cancer Action charity, who partnered with Aintree Racecourse to promote awareness of their work, was easy to make out even among a 40-strong field.

As was the plan, Brooke had him close to the front as the runners prepared for the start – almost making it to the first fence on the first of two false starts – before placing his mount as the leader over the early fences.

The official racecard described him as ‘quite interesting’ – an understatement for the host of South Cumbrian punters putting their money on him – while his profile board on the main concourse at Aintree described this as his ‘big chance’. He appeared to be taking it in the early running.

“Jimmy did want us up the front, which is fine,” added Brooke. “The horse does need to lead, really. He doesn’t like having the lead taken away from him too much.”

He was still up there as the field reached the Melling Road on the way back towards the 70,000-strong crowd in the stands, sitting third as they jumped the Chair in front of the massed cheering ranks.

But into the second circuit, with the sun beating down and many a spectator developing a skin tone best reserved for lobsters, he started to slowly drop back through the field.

There was still a small chance as they took the Canal Turn for the second time, with the leaders not far in front, but as they crossed the Melling Road for the last time, it was clear it was not going to be Highland Lodge’s day, with One For Arthur leading home Cause of Causes, St Are and Blaklion to the line.

“The ground was too quick, and it was a little bit warm for us,” said Brooke. “We would have been better with a little bit of cut in the ground.

“Just after the Melling Road the second time, I knew we were struggling. I jumped two out and I just felt the horse tire a little bit, so I pulled him up – he wasn’t going to get placed, so the main aim in hot conditions like this is to look after the horse.”

Brooke had earlier pulled up both 20/1 shot Bordeaux Bill and 33/1 outsider Smooth Stepper as they dropped off the back going into the home straight in the Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and the Betway Handicap Chase respectively. He had no hesitation in doing the same at the last, wanting to bring the horse home in one piece.

The plan now will be a third tilt at the Becher Chase in December over these same fences, when the chances of greater-than-20-degree heat and ground as good as this seem remote.

“He’ll come back to the Becher, and I’m sure he’ll run a great race,” added Brooke.

His big day at Aintree may not have gone to plan, but Highland Lodge will be back in Liverpool ready to show he can still impress over this world-famous track.