THREE National Hunt training yards in Cheshire are glowing after a series of good wins for their horses.
And with Ginger McCain's Grand National winner Amberleigh House set for a return to his beloved Aintree this weekend for the Becher Chase, there's every chance of further success.
McCain chalked up another winner before the big weekend ahead, with a first-time victory for his four-year-old novice hurdler Investment Affair.
In the horse's three previous starts over obstacles after racing on the Flat, he improved each time. The bookmakers also noticed that, too - he was 40-1 for his debut over timber and 3-1 when he came home first last weekend!
But Cheshire's successes were not confined to McCain's yard at Cholmondeley. Richard Ford, at Little Budworth, was in celebratory mood after Lantern Lad grabbed an exciting victory at Uttoxeter.
Turning into the home straight, it might have seemed an unlikely success, with the eight-year-old chaser in line with the favourite and a gambled-on Irish raider.
But the hope of Ireland didn't get over the third-last fence and the favourite weakened after making the running, leaving Ford's horse to claim the glory.
Over at Saighton, Lisa Williamson also tasted success when Colliers Court was first in a two-mile chase at Ludlow. It was the trainer's fourth win of the campaign.
And the pundits suggest that Colliers Court, who ran a couple of times at Bangor-on-Dee over the summer, is well handicapped so he might be worth watching out for in his next race.
The next racing at Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is on Friday, November 26. The first race is scheduled for 1.10pm. A free bus service runs from Wrexham Station to the racecourse 90 minutes before the first race and returns after racing - racegoers with railway tickets have priority.
Admission to the Course Enclosure is £6 while the Paddock Enclosure is £13. Accompanied children enter free.
More information is available on the website www.BangorOnDeeRaces.co.uk or contact the racecourse on 01978 780323.
The next racing at The Roodee is the May Festival in 2005. Tickets are now on sale. More information is on the website www.chester-races.co.uk or by calling 01244 304600.
