Yeah, given that it was oversized to start with Doc, I think it is good to go. The slip in the cutting is no big, that the the head end anyway and most of that will go with the head shaping anyhow.
As for the grain issue, MEH. It was forced by the nature of the wood anyway and some of the original distortion after cutting. I don't see it as being a biggie.

We shall see how it all goes mate.