Amberleigh set for Hereford spin

Former Grand National winner Amberleigh House will have his final run before another tilt at Aintree glory with an appearance at Hereford on Monday.

The 14-year-old has only competed over fences so far this season but McCain believes a spin over smaller obstacles in the Fownhope Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle will sharpen him up nicely ahead of this year’s renewal of the John Smith’s Grand National.

“This will be his last race before Aintree,” confirmed McCain.

“He might go for a school on a racecourse after that but this will be a step in the right direction.

“He is very well though and he definitely won’t have another run over hurdles after Monday – the three-week gap should be just about right.

“I wouldn’t be so bold as to say that he was going to win again but Graham Lee will ride him again and he won’t disgrace himself.

“It was a cracking performance by Hedgehunter in the Gold Cup though and he will take all the beating once more.

“It could have just taken the edge off him though because he undoubtedly will have had a hard race. It was a top-class performance though.”

McCain also holds a live chance with his other runner Ebony Light, who won the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock in January.

“He is grand at the moment and we are taking him to Aintree on Tuesday for the press day where he will do a gallop,” added McCain.

“He won’t run again before Aintree and is likely to go for a racecourse gallop and a school somewhere.

“If it’s wet he will run a very big race because he handles it so much better than a lot of other horses.

“If he’s still going well as they go out into the country for the second time he will be thereabouts because he will definitely stay the trip.

“They are both well and they will both run.”