Paul Nicholls revealed on Thursday that he has built a couple of Aintree-style spruce-covered fences at his Somerset yard as part of his preparations for the Grand National a week on Saturday.
The champion trainer has had many runners in the famous race without success and hopes for better from this year's team of four, headed by the well-fancied What A Friend.
"That I haven't won the Grand National in 60-odd attempts is sure to get plenty of air time this week but it certainly doesn't cause me any sleepless nights," Nicholls said through his column on Betfair. "That said, I am leaving no stone unturned in my bid for victory."
It has been common for trainers of National contenders to create something that looks like an Aintree fence for the sake of practice on their home gallops but Nicholls reported he had done this only once before.
"We borrowed a lot of spruce from the local point-to-point to cover two existing fences here and they have made a nice test for the horses."
Nicholls said that Niche Market, Ornais and The Tother One had schooled well and added that Mon Parrain, who may be aimed at next week's Topham Trophy, had been "awesome".
What A Friend, cut to 10-1 from 12-1 by William Hill, will be tried over the fences on Friday.
Ryan Moore continued his fine start to the Flat season by riding a short-priced double at Leicester on Retainer and Sand Owl.
The jockey, who has been champion three times but lost his title last year after a mid-season wrist injury, also had a double at Lingfield on Wednesday and will ride next at Doncaster's Lincoln meeting on Saturday.
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