A NEW record for jumping the unique fences on the Grand National course may be set at Aintree on Sunday afternoon if local hero Amberleigh House completes a clear round in the three-miles three-furlongs totesport Becher Chase.

The gelding has already tackled the fences seven times in his career and will be well supported to record another Liverpool victory.

Speaking at the launch of the John Smith's Grand National earlier this week, trainer Ginger McCain said: 'He'll have top weight on Sunday. We've followed the same programme as last year but we won't run him over hurdles again as he was disappointing at Haydock. He was staying on nicely at Wetherby over a distance that was too short for him.'

Jockey Graham Lee added that the weight shouldn't be a problem for the horse.

Smarty won this event two years ago, carried top weight into second place at Plumpton last month and retains the ability to challenge the local entry. Swansea Bay was disappointing at Wincanton earlier this month but may be revitalised by the challenge of Aintree.

The dynasty at Bankhouse Stables, Cholmondeley, is to continue as a four-year-old half-brother to Amber-leigh House was purchased from Ireland this summer. A striking individual called Dr Massini, with three white socks and a presence about him, the gelding has schooled over small fences, is working well at home and will be given time to develop.

Another recent purchase to look out for is Coming Again, who has been gelded since finishing 12th in the Derby and McCain believes is nailed on to be a bargain buy.

With 30 horses in work, the yard retains a mid-division position in the trainers league table as the inmates continue to run tidily in their class. The final meeting at Aintree in 2004 begins at 12.45pm tomorrow when the two-miles five-and-a-half-furlong betfair.com Grand Sefton Handicap Chase is the feature race on the card at 2.55pm.

Forest Gunner is proven over this course and distance after winning back in April. The Richard Ford-trained gelding may record the first local victory of the meeting.

Ebony Light ran well in his first two outings of this campaign before disappointing at Carlisle. This impressive Buckskin gelding was found to have a back problem that has been corrected now - and if the ground is on the soft side, he deserves another chance in the betfair.com Back Or Lay Handicap Chase.

On Sunday, action gets under way at 1.05pm. The supporting races include the Stanleybet Children In Need Handicap Hurdle run over two miles and four furlongs. Besieged ran well for a long way on his debut at Carlisle and should represent value for a place here.

The Red Square Vodka Amberleigh House Novices' Chase looks a competitive race at the five-day stage. Eurotrek won on his chasing debut at Market Rasen two weeks ago over this distance of three miles and one furlong, and he looks to have the ability to follow up the victory here.