McCain On Aintree Trail

Donald McCain is hoping Inca Trail can give him his first Aintree winner when he lines up for totesport.com Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree on Sunday.

McCain, 36, took over the reins of his family's stables from his father, four-times Grand National winning-trainer Ginger, earlier this year.

And in Inca Trail he has a horse with experience of the famous fences for the 10-year-old was eighth behind Numbersixvalverde in the world's greatest steeplechase in April.

The gelding, formerly trained by Paul Nicholls, was an encouraging third to Kauto Star over the Mildmay fences at Aintree on the second of two runs last month.

'We go to Aintree with a horse that has a serious chance,' said McCain at a media event organised by Aintree and totesport.

'He galloped all the way to the line behind Kauto Star last time over two and a half miles and Graham (Lee) said he would have finished second with another half a furlong.

'When we ran in the Grand National last season, Paul Nicholls said he will either take to the fences or he won't ? he's that sort of horse.

'He jumped great and was cantering turning in before stopping to a walk and then picking up again when Brian (Harding) dropped his hands. I think he could be a bridle horse as he travels so well.

'It will be great for me to train a winner at Aintree, more than anywhere else. We are Aintree people and Inca Trail was bought by his owner (John Halewood) as an Aintree horse.'

McCain senior saddled Amberleigh House to win the Becher Chase in 2001 and the National in 2004 in the Halewood colours.

Inca Trail is a 16-1 chance with the sponsors, who make Tony Martin's Irish raider the 11-2 favourite for the £100,000 prize over three and a quarter miles.

(C) PA Sport