Post by Taxigirl on Nov 23, 2004 10:01:02 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/4032631.stm
Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain says he may retire if his horse Amberleigh House wins the Grand National in 2005.
McCain, who won the Aintree race three times with Red Rum and scored a fourth success with Amberleigh House in 2004, will seek a record fifth win in April.
The 74-year-old trainer said: "If by chance we should win the National next year I might just sling my hook. It wouldn't be a bad way to go out."
"It's been a long, long old road and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
When he does step down, McCain intends to hand over the licence at his Cheshire stable to son Donald.
Amberleigh House warmed up for the 2005 National when running a decent race under top weight to finish fourth to Silver Birch in the Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday.
And McCain, who correctly predicted the 12-year-old's success in the world's most famous steeplechase earlier in the year, believes he is again the one to beat.
"I wouldn't swap his chances of winning next year's National for any other horse," he said.
"At this moment in time it's simply a one-horse race - he's going to be the third 13-year-old to win the Grand National."
Amberleigh House, who will be 13 in January, is a best-priced 25-1 to follow up his 2004 victory.
Red Rum's trainer Ginger McCain says he may retire if his horse Amberleigh House wins the Grand National in 2005.
McCain, who won the Aintree race three times with Red Rum and scored a fourth success with Amberleigh House in 2004, will seek a record fifth win in April.
The 74-year-old trainer said: "If by chance we should win the National next year I might just sling my hook. It wouldn't be a bad way to go out."
"It's been a long, long old road and I've enjoyed every minute of it."
When he does step down, McCain intends to hand over the licence at his Cheshire stable to son Donald.
Amberleigh House warmed up for the 2005 National when running a decent race under top weight to finish fourth to Silver Birch in the Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday.
And McCain, who correctly predicted the 12-year-old's success in the world's most famous steeplechase earlier in the year, believes he is again the one to beat.
"I wouldn't swap his chances of winning next year's National for any other horse," he said.
"At this moment in time it's simply a one-horse race - he's going to be the third 13-year-old to win the Grand National."
Amberleigh House, who will be 13 in January, is a best-priced 25-1 to follow up his 2004 victory.