Donald McCain: The verdict on my Sunday runners

Donald is off to Aintree on Sunday with some promising youngsters.

Donald is off to Aintree on Sunday with some very promising youngsters due to be unleashed.

13.10 2m4f Handicap Hurdle - Son Of Flicka

He's got his ground here but he went up in the weights after winning at Cheltenham and he did have a nasty experience when he fell here at the National meeting. He has run well here in the past but he has also fallen a couple of times and it's all about trying to get his confidence back on his reappearance.

13.40 2m Juvenile Hurdle - Counsel

It looks like it could be a warm race but I like the conditions of it and a small field on decent ground should be the perfect place to introduce him. He's done plenty of jumping since we got him - he has schooled very well - and although there are a few talking horses in here, I would like to think he could give a very good account.

14.15 3m1f Beginners' Chase - Brady

He's schooled okay and we are coming here because he should get his ground. It's hard to find the right races for these novice chasers at the moment but I couldn't really turn down a four-runner race for the money. He is probably going to have to improve to beat some of these but the main thing is that he puts in a clear round and gives us something to work with going forwards.

16.00 2m4f Novice Hurdle - Clondaw Kaempfer

He's a very nice horse who was placed in a couple of Irish points before beating 18 rivals in the big sales bumper at Fairyhouse in April. He has done everything right at home and I am hoping for a big run - a couple of the other promising youngsters got the job done at Carlisle on Thursday which is encouraging.. It looks a small but select field - I don't know much about Paul Nicholls' horse (Funny Star) but you don't win those big-field races at Auteuil if you are a mug!

16.30 2m1f Bumper - Oscatara

He was impressive when he won an Irish point and I am looking forward to running him. I think he will like this sort of ground and although it's probably a warm bumper - I have heard one or two names mention in passing and I have had David Pipe on the phone! - he has done everything we have asked of him in his homework. You never quite know with this type until they get out on the course but the early signs are promising.