Special Grand National schooling fences, located at four venues in Britain and Ireland, are ready for use and have recently been dressed with fresh spruce.
The fences are there for any trainer to use for schooling horses who are possible runners in the Crabbie’s Grand National (April 9), Crabbie’s Topham Chase (April 8) and Crabbie’s Fox Hunters’ Chase (April 7) at Aintree.
The preparation work on the schooling fences, by Aintree’s own groundstaff, has taken place at David Pipe’s yard on the Devon/Somerset border, at The Jockey Club’s Lambourn Gallops, at the Malton Schooling Grounds and at the Curragh Training Grounds.
Aintree Clerk of the Course Andrew Tulloch commented: “At each location, there are two Grand National fences which are replicas of the fences we have here at Aintree.
“We are keen to encourage trainers, who are thinking of running horses over the Grand National fences, to use them.
“Aintree is very appreciative of the help given by David Pipe, Lambourn, Malton and the Curragh to facilitate the provision of these schooling fences.
“Trainers wishing to use the fences need to liaise directly with the locations.”
The 2016 Crabbie’s Grand National Festival takes place at Aintree from Thursday, April 7 to Saturday, April 9.