For a man who prefers the quiet life, Brandsby trainer Peter Beaumont spends a fair amount of time in the headlines.

Jodami catapulted him into the big time in the early Nineties and that momentum has been maintained with the likes of Young Kenny and, most recently Cheltenham Festival winner Hussard Collonges.

The Yorkshireman can be on the mark on day one of Aintree's Grand National meeting with his progressive Sharpastrizam in the Martell Novices Handicap Chase over two-and-a-half miles.

The main requirement for Beaumont's runner is a sound surface and, indeed, his only three defeats from eight runs over fences have been on unsuitably soft ground.

So his latest run at Doncaster, where he finished out of the money, can safely be ignored and he should also appreciate the step up in trip.

Tony Dobbin looks a very interesting booking and the combination are taken to beat Venetia Williams' Spring Margot.

Williams' Nordance Prince would have sound claims on his old form in the Martell Red Rum Handicap Chase over two miles but he's still to prove he retains all his ability and the vote goes to Dark'n Sharp.

Richard Phillips' gelding ran a blinder for one with such limited experience over fences when a cracking third to Fadoudal du Cochet at the Cheltenham Festival.

There's almost certainly better to come and, with several confirmed front-runners in the line-up, this race is sure to be run to suit.

Tony McCoy, fresh from his record-breaking stint at Warwick this week, has never lost faith in Cyfor Malta and he could go well with conditions to suit in the Martell Cup Chase over three miles and a furlong.

Injury prevented him from becoming one of the best chasers of his generation but, at nine years of age, there's still plenty of mileage in the tank and, although well below his best in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham last time, he is well worth another chance.

Three miles on good ground at this course should suit him arguably more than the majority of his rivals and the visor he wears for the first time could well make the difference.

Pipe and McCoy can also be on the mark with Montreal in the opening race of the meeting, the Martell Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

Although beaten by Freetown at Cheltenham last time, he was ridden to get the trip that day and it would be no surprise to see him reverse placings with the winner.