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House spot-on for Aintree

Martell Grand National hope Amberleigh House delighted Ginger McCain in a workout at Bangor racecourse today.

Ridden by Warren Marston, the Becher Chase winner was rated 'just about spot-on' by his trainer after galloping over a mile and a half with a stable-companion.

McCain must now sweat on the gelding making the big-race line-up a week on Saturday, which is currently heavily oversubscribed.

Reflecting on the workout, the man famous for sending out Red Rum to land the Aintree showpiece three times, said: 'It went very well. They went a mile and a half and I was very, very satisfied. It was quite impressive. They actually went a bit quicker than I wanted but I was delighted.

'I think Amberleigh House is now just about spot-on - in the next 10 days we will just put a fine edge on him. But if the race was tomorrow he would run a blinder.'

Amberleigh House, who has been unplaced in two outings since being given a two-month break after winning the Becher, needs at least 14 horses to come out of the National field by tomorrow week`s final declaration stage to be guaranteed a run.

'All I need is for him to get in as I think he would have a hell of a chance,' McCain said.