Amberleigh unimpressive on return

Amberleigh House was once again ridden by Graham Lee

Grand National winner Amberleigh House finished well down the field in his first race since his Aintree triumph.

The 12-year-old jumped well but finally trailed home ninth in a 12-runner handicap hurdle at Haydock, which was won by 10-1 shot Accepting.

Amberleigh House, trained by Ginger McCain, was sixth in the same race last year and third in 2002.

His next major target will be the Tote Becher Chase at Aintree next month with another crack at the Grand National his ultimate aim.

The horse was second to Clan Royal in last year's Becher Chase before famously reversing the positions in the Grand National six months later.

McCain, famous for training Red Rum to a record three Grand National wins, was far from despondent about Amberleigh House's performance.

"I would have liked to have seen him finish closer, but it does not matter, it was a step down the road," said the 74-year-old trainer.

"I think we will have to give him a run over fences, irrespective of weight, before the Becher Chase, possibly over two and a half miles at Wetherby.

"At his age he 'makes his own arrangements' but we needed to get a run into him and want him 100% for the Becher next month, and for the National - those are the two main targets again."