ALL roads lead back to Aintree for trainer Donald McCain as he looks to defend his John Smith’s Grand National title next April.
McCain kept up the family’s affinity with the Aintree showpiece when Ballabriggs landed the world’s greatest steeplechase in April this year.
Ballabriggs will have his campaign geared around trying to become the first horse to win the race for a second time since 1974 and the great Red Rum – trained by McCain’s father Ginger, who sadly died last month.
Ballabriggs could be joined at Aintree by the likes of Wymott, Fabalu and new recruit to Bankhouse stables, Weird Al.
McCain said: “The whole year for Ballabriggs is geared around going back to Aintree. These days the handicappers hike their hurdles mark up so there is no great benefit running over hurdles.
“We’re in no hurry, we’ll take plenty of time with him, and I’m sure we’ll probably end up back at Kelso before Aintree.
“There’s two or three more that didn’t have the best end to last season that could end up there. The likes of Wymott and there’s Weird Al now of course and Fabalu and one or two others. It will be nice to be going there with two or three.
“Wymott is very good and he worked the other day. He came back from Cheltenham with a small fracture and it was actually nice to find something as he was so disappointing. He’s galloped and should be ready by the beginning of November.”
Ballabriggs is as low as 14-1 with William Hill and a best-priced 20-1 with Victor Chandler to retain his National crown on April 14 next year.
Another stables star, Champion Hurdle runner-up Peddlers Cross, is set to make his debut over fences at Bangor next month and could faces a watering clash with Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Al Ferof.
McCain’s six-year-old suffered defeat for the first time in his career when going down fighting to Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham last March.
He disappointed at Aintree a month later, but was considered to be over the top. And McCain is hopeful he can also reach the top over the bigger obstacles this season.
The Cholmondeley-based handler said: “I haven’t schooled him yet this time but obviously he won his point-to-point.
“All being well the plan is to head to Bangor on November 9 where he is due to meet Paul Nicholls’ Al Ferof in a beginners’ chase.
“It will be a tough start but that’s the plan.
“I’m such a bad trainer I don’t know what trip he wants yet!
“He won over two-five as a novice at the Festival so you would expect him to get three (miles) but he got quicker and quicker last year so we’re still very much in the dark.
“He was second in the Champion Hurdle so he’s obviously got an awful lot of boot for a chaser but there’s no reason he shouldn’t get further if we ask him.
“The things I’ve seen him do are absolutely frightening so we’ve just got to try and keep him in one piece – he could be very special indeed.”
