Donald McCain eyes Borders raid for Ballabriggs

Both horses are owned by Trevor Hemmings and Cloudy Lane travelled up to the Borders track as one of the favourites for the National only to fall at the first fence.

Like Cloudy Lane, Ballabriggs is a Cheltenham Festival winner and has also been in great form over hurdles this season, winning both races.

"We took Cloudy Lane, when at an exact same point in his career, to this race and he fell at the first, which was not helpful in terms of this National preparation," said McCain. "There are only five runners, but I hope that he can run a nice race against opposition that merit respect."

Hemmings' racing manager Mick Meagher admitted that the conditions of the race suit Ballabriggs down to the ground and everything has gone smoothly since an injury-hit early part of his career. "He had a bit of back trouble but since then everything has gone well," said Meagher. "He's getting a couple of pounds off Jimmy Moffatt's horse (Chief Dan George] and he should be giving him two so he's well-treated and you'd hope he'd run a good race. The trip won't be an issue. Two-six will be fine for him, he's won over two-and-a-half over hurdles and it just looks the right race for him."

Chief Dan George meets Ballabriggs on 4lb worse terms than he will in the Grand National, but his trainer Moffatt is still expecting a big run. "We've just struggled to find races for him that were ideal up until now. He's a Spring horse anyway so we weren't too concerned," said the Cartmel handler. "He's won round Kelso before over two six and the ground has dried out nicely."

Trainer Alistair Whillans also has one eye on the Grand National meeting for his exciting novice hurdler Storm Brig. The giant six-year-old has only been defeated once in his five-race career on good ground at Ayr last spring.

He has won both his starts over hurdles with the minimum of fuss and steps up in class to Grade Two company for the totepool Premier Kelso Hurdle today. The form of his two wins at Newcastle has been franked as both runners-up have won since.

Everton manager David Moyes could do with something to cheer him up after his side were dumped out of the FA Cup on Tuesday night by Reading and his horse Desert Cry could be just the tonic. An easy winner at Sedgefield last time out, McCain is slightly concerned about the step up in trip.

"He was a good horse on the flat and the penny is dropping over hurdles now," said McCain. "However, for the money on offer, it is not the best race in the world and David Moyes, his owner, was keen to give it a crack."