McCain planning double Aintree raid
Aintree legend Ginger McCain could be represented in both races over the Grand National fences on Sunday.
Amberleigh House, who gave McCain a record-equalling fourth National triumph in 2004, will bid to win the totesport Becher Chase for a second time.
Ebony Light is more likely to go for the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over a shorter distance, although he also holds an entry in the feature race.
“Amberleigh House goes for the Becher Chase and at this stage Ebony Light looks like running in the Grand Sefton,” said McCain’s son Donald.
“Amberleigh House is in great nick and we are looking forward to it. He’s on 10st 6lb at the moment and he wouldn’t get that in the National.”
“He’s got a terrific record in this race,” said McCain junior referring to the 13-year-old’s placings of first, second twice and fifth in the last four runnings of the Becher Chase.
“Ebony Light is currently out of the weights in the Becher and is not guaranteed a run in it either,” he added.
“He may well go for the Grand Sefton, but if he looked like getting in the Becher off 10st then we’d have to have a look at that.
“Graham Lee rides Amberleigh House but we haven’t got a jockey for Ebony Light yet.
“This will be Ebony Light’s first time over the National fences although he has been over the Mildmay course.
“I wouldn’t have fancied his chances over the big fences two or three years ago but he appears to have got his act together now and is a pretty neat jumper.”
