McCain duo on course

Trainer Donald McCain reports Cloudy Lane and Idle Talk to be in fine shape ahead of next month’s John Smith’s Grand National.

“Both are in full work and in good nick. The sun’s shining which has done them a bit of good. There are no problems,” said the Cholmondeley-based handler.

“I won’t be giving Idle Talk a racecourse gallop but we’ll be taking Cloudy Lane somewhere. I don’t know where or when yet, but everything’s grand.”

Cloudy Lane, who fell at the first on his latest start at Kelso, is 25-1 for the Aintree spectacular on April 4.

He was sixth last year when sent off 7-1 joint favourite as the other market leader, Comply Or Die, took the honours.

Idle Talk, who also carries the colours of Trevor Hemmings, is a 100-1 shot having finished 14th of the 15 to complete the course in 2008.

He unseated his rider at the 19th fence 12 months earlier.