McCain on cloud nine again as Whiteoak sees off Retirement

Mar 15 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESHIRE-BASED trainer Donald McCain junior brought up his 50th winner of the season with his second Festival success as Whiteoak just get back up to deny Retirement in the opening race, the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle.

The five-year-old, who was napped at 20-1 in yesterday’s Daily Post, scored by a short head under Bankhouse stable jockey Jason Maguire.

A delighted McCain, whose first Festival winner 12 months ago was John Smith’s Grand National favourite Cloudy Lane, said: “She got there too soon to be honest, as she only just does enough in front. We’ve always thought she was very decent but obviously we didn’t know she was quite up to this.

“We did know she would travel and just thought she wasn’t quite sharp enough over the first couple for the two-mile novices’ (Supreme).

“She probably shouldn’t have been beaten all year if I’d done my job properly so I’m absolutely delighted.

“Cloudy (Lane) won here last year but we’ve had a good hiding with some of our other runners since I could get used to the place again now.”

WEEKEND NAPS: TODAY: Northern Quest (3.20pm Newcastle). TOMORROW: Jungleland (3.45pm Newton Abbot).