AN AINTREE return in the Grand National is now the target for Young Kenny, who battled to a brave and emotional win over the big obstacles in the Becher Chase on Saturday for trainer Peter Beaumont.

Russ Garritty, in his first victory over the Aintree fences, partnered the nine-year-old in a thriller, being headed by Sue Smith's Ardent Scout, but the pair never gave up and won by a half-length.

For Beaumont, whose wife Margaret died earlier this month, this was a very special win. Young Kenny, who fell at the 10th in last year's Grand National, is now aimed at the 2001 event - and if winning, will gain a £250,000 bonus after this Becher victory. The Stearsby trainer said the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow at Christmas may be the next target, but this would have to be discussed with owner Trevor Hemmings.

Paddy's Return, who under Adrian Maguire was third after an eye-catching round of jumping, pleased trainer Ferdy Murphy, who is also aiming at the Grand National. Murphy and Maguire enjoyed an Aintree double with young chasers from the West Witton yard, both Irish imports, Ichi Beau and Streamstown, two more for the notebook.

Russ Garritty was also in double form, partnering Knighted in a first-time win for his new trainer, Tim Easterby. Uncle Mick Easterby also recorded a fine win, Tony Dobbin partnering Super Nomad.

Mary Reveley is in unstoppable form and her new young amateur Irish recruit Brian Murphy took a brace for the Lingdale handler at Catterick, to add to his three last weekend, including another on Profluent.

Peter Niven on Torso, in Peter Savill's colours, and Alan Dempsy on Legendry Line gave a Newcastle Reveley double and Wetherby again saw a stable duo as Dempsey partnered Random Harvest and Tony Ross rode facile winner Function Dream.

Three of the six Wetherby races were sponsored by the Thanx Group to help the International Spinal Research Trust and group chairman, Mike Smallman, saw his colours carried to victory by Ger Ryan on Vanishing Dancer, trained by Allan Dickman at Malton, a first jumps winner since taking out his licence last February, adding to one Flat win earlier.

Ferdy Murphy and Adrian Maguire won at Wetherby with another good novice, Narrow Water. The trainer said: 'This horse is like Billy Bunter - he'd eat for England and Ireland. The more racing he gets, the more he'll improve.'

John Quinn had a Sedgefield double last Thursday, where Brian Ellison, Donald Forster and Richard Fahey also enjoyed successes. Middleham men Patrick Haslam and Micky Hammond were on the Catterick scoreboard, where Fred Kirby sent out his giant Forest Dante to a third win. Tim Easterby and Garritty also won at Market Rasen with Barnburgh Boy.

The big race tomorrow is the Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, where Yorkshire owner Robert Ogden has four entered - although holding his cards close to his chest as to which will be declared.

THE WEEK'S WINNERS

Key: All UK racing is now National Hunt (jumps), except for all-weather flat racing (AW). Chs = steeplechase; hdl = hurdles race; NHf = National Hunt flat race (bumper). Hb = homebred by owner.

Thursday last week. - Sedgefield: (hdl) Executive Choice (trained by Brian Ellison, at Malton; owned by The Couriers Syndicate), ridden by Mr V T Keane; (hdl) First Light (John Quinn, Settrington; Four Wise Men), Adrian Maguire; (chs) Kit Smartie (Donald Forster, Heighington; trainer), Richard Guest; (amateur chs) Dook's Delight (Richard Fahey, Butterwick; : Mike Caulfield), Mr P Whelan; (chs) B The One (John Quinn; Andrew Page and Mr John Pollard), Russ Garritty.

Friday. - Southwell AW: (12f) Clarinch Claymore (Malcolm Jefferson, Norton; John Donald), Ian Mongan; (7f) Jorrocks (Mick Easterby, Sheriff Hutton; Stephen J Curtis), Terry Lucas.

Saturday. - Aintree (chs) Ichi Beau (Ferdy Murphy, West Witton; Mrs Fiona Butterly), Adrian Maguire; (hdl) Super Nomad (Mick Easterby; T A Hughes), Tony Dobbin; (chs) Young Kenny (Peter Beaumont, Stearsby; Trevor Hemmings), Russ Garritty; (hdl) Knighted (Tim Easterby, Great Habton; Elite Racing Club), Russ Garritty; (chs) Streamstown (Ferdy Murphy; Haydock Park National Hunt Partnership), Adrian Maguire.

Catterick: (hdl) Dun Distinctly (Patrick Haslam, Middleham; Lady Kitson), Niall Hannity; (chs) Forest Dante (Fred Kirby, Danby Wiske; Fred Kirby), Kenny Johnson; (hdl) Profluent (Mary Reveley, Lingdale; Andy Peake & David Johnson), Mr Brian Murphy; (chs) Deep Water (Micky Hammond, Middleham; The County Set), Brian Harding; (hdl) Wag The Brush (Mary Reveley; Hb, PA Taylor), Mr Brian Murphy.

Monday. - Newcastle: (hdl) Torso (Mary Reveley; P D Savill), Peter Niven; (chs) Red Emperor (Norman Mason, Crook; permit holder), Richard Guest; (hdl) Legendry Line (Mary Reveley; The Home & Away Partnership), Alan Dempsey.

Tuesday. - Market Rasen: (chs) Barnburgh Boy (Tim Easterby; M P Burke), Russ Garritty.

Wolverhampton AW: (6f) Paddywack (David Chapman, Stillington; trainer), Tony Culhane.

Wednesday. - Wetherby: (chs) Random Harvest (Mary Reveley; C C Buckley), Alan Dempsey; (hdl) Vanishing Dancer (Allan Dickman, Malton; Mike Smallman), Ger Ryan; (chs) Narrow Water (Ferdy Murphy; : Getjar Limited), Adrian Maguire; (chs) Function Dream (Mary Reveley; : Scart Syndicate), Mr Anthony Ross.