Aintree brings in new fence designs

Aintree's redesigned Grand National fences have been welcomed by World Horse Welfare ahead of their full debut on Thursday afternoon. But concerns still remain over the size of the 40-runner field for Saturday's big race at the Liverpool track. Two horses have died in each of the last two runnings of the famous race. Changes to the fences' core material were trialled in December and will be used for the first time at the National meeting in Thursday's Foxhunter Chase. Outwary the 16 National fences look the same as last year, with no major alterations to their size and shape, but beneath the spruce dressing, the core of the fences are very different.