Aintree hope set for Haydock run
Ginger McCain’s Martell Cognac Grand National contender Amberleigh House took another step towards Aintree with a gallop at Haydock Park today.
The 11-year-old worked over 12 furlongs in a steady canter with the trainer’s son Donald in the plate.
He cantered alongside a stable-mate Bezhad but the exercise was not too serious, as Amberleigh House is entered in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at the Merseyside venue on Saturday.
The £110,000 (€160,000) handicap is sponsored by Amberleigh House’s owner John Halewood, who lives not far from the course at Manley in Cheshire.
However, the gelding’s participation in the race is far from certain.
Speaking after he watched his charges complete their gallop, McCain said: “I think we will go for the two and a half mile chase (Favourites Racing Handicap Chase) instead.
“I don’t want to get him into a battle on Saturday, and there are a lot of good horses in the big race. After all, it’s only five weeks to the Grand National.
“In the past I have always used this race as a trial for the Aintree Grand National, when it was the Greenalls, Red Rum always used to run in it.
“To me people get lost by going to Cheltenham before Liverpool, the only horse to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Liverpool Grand National in the same year was Goden Miller, and that was way back in the 30s (1934).
“I’ve always thought we would have a great chance of winning the Grand National with Amberleigh House.
“I saw him win a race at Punchestown and I heard through the back door that he was up for sale, luckily I persuaded John (Halewood) to buy him.
“However, when he arrived at my yard at three o’clock in the morning, he looked utterly dejected and miserable and I said to the driver, ‘Where is Amberleigh House?’ And he said, ‘This is him, guvnor.’ I thought, ‘Bloody hell, I have done my owner’s money.’ But now he looks cheap.
“I would not swap his chances for any of the other runners, and they will have to shoot him to keep him out of the first six.
“I am happier this year than last, because we missed the cut by three last year, but it looks as if we will get in at around 10st 5lb, which would be spot on, for a horse that jumps Aintree just for fun.
“I would like to get Tony Dobbin to ride him, as he is the best Aintree rider out there at the moment. If not, Warren Marston. If those two are not available then Graham Lee is waiting in the wings.”
The Grand National is a race that Halewood has set his heart on winning.
He said: “I used to go to Aintree as a lad with my father Jack, who was a naval officer. I fell in love with the race then, as I come from Wallasey and it’s a race that gets into your blood.
“I got completely hooked on racing in 1983 as an owner, when Ginger bought me my first horse, Highland Gold, and it ended up winning first time out and then went on to win five races for me.
“Dudie was my first runner in the Grand National, and then we got stopped by Paddy’s Return three years ago with Amberleigh House.
“I was disappointed that we did not run in the race with him last year, as he missed the cut, I thought that he was truly entitled to take his chance in the race, but this is another year and I am happier this time around knowing that we will get in the race proper.”
