SIX horses were in a line jumping the last fence of the totesport Becher Handicap Steeplechase at Aintree last Sunday, one of the feature races of the new North West Masters weekend.
Local Aintree Grand National hero in 2004, Amberleigh House, now 13 years old, ran up with the pace and jumped with his usual accuracy to finish in seventh place, beaten by just over 10 lengths.
Assistant trainer Donald McCain of Cholmondeley said: 'He's a very special horse and we're absolutely delighted. That run has made up our mind, we've got to come here again in April.'
Amberleigh House will now have a break before embarking on his preparation for the John Smith's Grand National in April 2006.
Garvivonnian, who just missed the cut in this year's National, jumped well throughout and the 33-1 chance scored by three quarters of a length for jockey Garrett Cotter. Plans are to enter the 10-year-old for the Grand National and he is currently quoted at 33-1 in the antepost market.
Three inspections, preceded racing due to lingering frost where action began with a very impressive performance by 4-7 favourite Fair Along, who made all to win the Weatherbys Bank Juvenile Novices' Hurdle Race by 21 lengths from promising newcomer Ortolan Bleu.
'He's awesome' was how jockey Paddy Brennan described Hakin after the 18-1 shot put in a perfect round over the Grand National fences.
The chestnut had his ears pricked throughout to win the totepool Grand Sefton Handicap Steeplechase by two and a half lengths from Fiori.
Brennan added: 'He's so keen at the start but once he gets to the front you don't move on him. I've watched how Ruby Walsh rides over these fences. He doesn't move - that's the way to do it.'
Covent Garden was returned to the 5-1 co-favourite in the William Hill/Stanleybet Children In Need Handicap Hurdle. Graham Lee headed the field two from home and, despite jumping to the right, hung on the win by a margin of four lengths.
There was drama in the Intersky Novices' Steeplechase when long-time leader Nyrche took the wrong course two fences from home when the race was at his mercy. The 11-8 favourite Cerium took advantage of this misfortune to gallop clear of the field and win by five lengths.
Frost had previously threatened the opening day of the Masters meeting at Haydock Park. However, temperatures rose adequately to allow the meeting to go ahead last Saturday.
Anticipation was high for the Betfair Lancashire Chase with Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Kicking King backed down to 4-5 favourite before the off. Jockey Barry Geraghty opted to run on the outside of the seven-runner field with Ollie Magern setting the pace over the first circuit. Coming into the home straight 8-1 shot Kingscliff, who was always up with the leaders, took up the running.
Beef Or Salmon had been held up and came with a late challenge to finish one and a quarter lengths behind Kingscliff with Kicking King weakening to finish in third place.
Winners proved difficult to find with every favourite being overturned throughout the afternoon. Most noteworthy was Admiral, sent off at 100-30, who showed he is improving to get the better of Faasel in a prolonged battle up the straight, where he was briefly headed by the favourite. But he rallied to get up by a short head on the line in the Casino 36 Classic Nerak Hurdle.
