McCain hopeful over Cloudy

Donald McCain is hoping Cloudy Lane is on a good enough mark to land a fifth course win in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

The nine-year-old has shown a great liking for the Merseyside venue and warmed up for the race with a solid third in the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby last time out.

But the geldling remains 3lb above his last winning mark and McCain is only hopeful that his charge has improved enough to land what is likely to be a competitive event.

"He's in great nick at the moment and, all being well, he will take his chance at Haydock on Saturday," said the Cheshire handler.

"We were happy enough with him at Wetherby last time as the ground was quite tacky down the back and he didn't really enjoy it.

"He stayed on nicely up the straight and we came out of the race thinking that's as good as he is.

Very soft ground

"But he has come out of it really well and he has won a bundle of races at Haydock before.

"He obviously loves the place and the owner (Trevor Hemmings) also loves Haydock so it seemed the obvious place to go.

"It's going to be very soft ground but hopefully it will be loose enough to get through and he will run his race.

"When he ran at Haydock last year I was worried about the ground and he went and won.

"He's going to have plenty of weight, but he's got it for a reason and I'm sure he will run well."

Cloudy Lane was a well handicapped horse in last year's Grand National but could finish only fifth behind Comply Or Die.

"I would like to give him a couple more runs prior to the John Smith's Grand National but we will have to play it by ear," McCain added.

"It is not as easy as last year because he's gone up in the ratings so we have to see what is available to him. All roads will lead to Aintree once more."