Chris Grant's bitter-sweet memories of Aintree will coming flooding back today when Master Wood (3.45) lines up for the Martell Cognac Fox Hunters' Chase run over the Grand National fences.

Grant did everything bar win the National, three times partnering the runner-up, twice aboard Durham Edition and once on Young Driver. Grant has long since hung up his boots and joined the training ranks, plying his trade from the village of Wolviston.

Chris has done a good job rejuvenating Master Wood, a one-time useful staying chaser who had seemingly totally lost the plot when pulled up on all three of his outings last term.

This season the story could not be more different as the 12-year-old gelding has taken on a completely new lease of life, winning his last two starts at Haydock and Wetherby in gritty fashion. Master Wood's style of running should also suit Aintree since he normally jumps well and likes to be at the head of affairs.

There's nearly always mayhem in two-and-three-quarter-mile Fox Hunters, an amateurs-only contest which, as usual, has attracted a maximum 22-runner field. It's therefore normally best to be up front and away from the inevitable trouble behind, exactly the tactics I expect Tom Greenall to employ aboard Grant's raider.

It's no surprise to see a top-quality field line up for the Martell Cognac Chase with a total of £150,000 up for grabs.

The form pick is without doubt Valley Henry (2.35), a gallant fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup over a trip that probably stretched his stamina to the limit. This not so demanding track, together with a furlong less to travel, should ensure Valley Henry justifies probable favouritism.

Tim Easterby's Turgeonev (3.10) also ran at the Festival, however he put in a much less distinguished performance, finishing down the field in the Grand Annual Chase.

Although Turgeonev appeared to run poorly, he was let down by a couple of sketchy leaps early in the race and just as he was about to make his move he was again untidy at the fourth last.

His rider, Russ Garritty, was not hard on his mount once their chance had gone and I fancy his tenderness might be repaid in the two-mile Red Rum Chase, a contest in which Turgeonev held every chance until falling two out 12 months ago.

Alan Swinbank's unbeaten Far Pavilions (4.20) takes a substantial step up in class for the £110,000 Ember Inns Anniversary Hurdle.

He's a big, strapping gelding who has never stopped improving both physically and mentally throughout the last nine months. It's a tall order to expect Far Pavilions to bring the prize back to his Melsonby base in North Yorkshire, but I still believe he is worthy of at least a small each-way investment.

At Leicester, Mark Johnston's Love In Seattle (3.55) is fancied to redeem a somewhat tarnished reputation

There was a colossal gamble on Love In Seattle when he made his debut at Doncaster's Lincoln meeting. The handsome son of Seattle Slew failed to deliver, but he's still regarded as one of the leading lights among the Kingsley House three-year-old division, even though he got turned over when the money was down 13 days ago.

* Jonjo O'Neill's appeal against the £6,000 fine imposed on him by the Jockey Club in February will be heard today.

The Jackdaws Castle trainer was given the punishment at a Portman Square hearing following a third recent breach of the running-and-riding rules.

O'Neill was referred to the Jockey Club after he was found guilty of transgressing the rules concerning schooling in public after his Top Of The Left finished just over 32 lengths behind 7-4 favourite Vanormix, having appeared to be tenderly handled.

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