Moor Lane, a leading fancy for the Martell Grand National a week on Saturday, pleased connections in a schooling session over specially adapted fences at trainer Ian Balding's Kingsclere gallops today.
Balding had some Grand National style fences constructed and Barry Fenton, who will be on board at Aintree, partnered the Great Yorkshire Chase winner over the obstacles. After the work-out the trainer's son and assistant Andrew said: "He's fine. He jumped well and everybody is happy with him - no problems.
Amberleigh House was another Grand National hopeful to have a spin today and he delighted Ginger McCain in a work-out at Bangor racecourse. Ridden by big-race jockey Warren Marston, the Becher Chase winner was rated "just about spot-on" by his trainer after galloping over a mile and a half with a stable-companion.
McCain must now sweat on the gelding making the big-race line-up a week on Saturday, which is currently heavily oversubscribed. He needs at least 14 horses to come out of the National field by tomorrow week's final declaration stage to be guaranteed a run.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
