Cloudy Lane has previously failed to live up to expectations at Aintree

Donald McCain Jr believes his horse, Cloudy Lane, is hitting form at just the right time to make an impact at the Grand National.

Cloudy Lane was the favourite for the 2008 race but finished sixth.

"We've got a very good horse that has got a very good level of form," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He ran a screamer in the Grimthorpe Chase. It showed he still has loads of ability, his season's been geared completely on Aintree."

Cloudy Lane unseated his rider Jason Maguire at The Chair in last year's race.

McCain, the son of legendary trainer Donald 'Ginger' McCain, concedes the biggest challenge facing Cloudy Lane are the fences located on the tough Aintree course.

When asked about the biggest threat to his horses chance of winning McCain replied: "The 30-something Grand National fences or whatever it is ?

"If we have a clear run, we'll have a massive race. Everything's a danger but the course is the biggest thing you've got to deal with."

The McCain training dynasty hold four Grand National wins, three of which came with Red Rum.

McCain feels that the current handicapping rules mean no horse will ever match the achievements of Red Rum.

"The way the handicap is now it can't be repeated because he used to go out at 12 stones every year.

"He used to run fantastically well over a track that was more difficult than it is now, it was phenomenal and it won't be repeated again," added McCain.

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