House flops but remains on National course

AMBERLEIGH HOUSE could only finish ninth in the jmc.it Handicap Hurdle at Haydock Park yesterday on his first outing since his memorable Martell Grand National success in April.

But trainer Ginger McCain was far from despondent and the 2005 renewal of the Aintree spectacular is still firmly on the agenda.

The 12-year-old was in the rear in the early stages but was never really able to make any significant progress and came under pressure approaching the last on the far side.