Last Time D'Albain for Topham Irish trainer Liam Cusack is hoping to taste success over Aintree's giant fences when he saddles Last Time D'Albain in Friday's John Smith's Topham Chase. Cusack partnered Ebony Jane to finish fourth in the John Smith's Grand National in his riding days and now returns to Merseyside with a live chance of having a winner as a trainer. Last Time D'Albain posted a career-best effort when third behind one of this year's leading Grand National contenders, Colbert Station, in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over the Christmas period. Cusack said: "He ran very well at Leopardstown and the form looks strong - the Paddy Power is always a competitive handicap and we were very pleased with his effort. "He also ran very well at Fairyhouse last Easter, when he was second to Lucky William, who went on to win a Grade One at Punchestown, with 17 lengths back to the third home. "We were hoping to run him over hurdles a couple of weeks ago at Naas but he had a bad scope. He schooled well over some National-style fences at the Curragh, although you always need luck around Aintree. "He has run on heavy going but he would appreciate better ground. It wasn't bad ground at Leopardstown at Christmas and he handled that well. Similar ground would be ideal for him."
