Step On Eyre can carry the famous "Arkle" colours to a second victory over the Grand National fences today.

The owner, Anne, Duchess of Westminster, did not dare risk her legendary chaser over Becher's, the Chair and the rest and never even entered him for the Aintree marathon.

But her distinctive yellow and black silks were seen on Last Suspect, who sprang a 50 to 1 surprise in the world's most famous chase in 1985.

And 15 years later Step On Eyre has been handed every chance of emulating the feat on his reappearance in today's Tote Becher Chase, over three miles and three furlongs of the National course.

He is very much the sort to excel over these testing fences, as an experienced 10-year-old who has never fallen in his long career.

Lack of a recent run is no hindrance to a gelding who always runs well fresh, while the soft ground conditions will be ideal.

And Step On Eyre is thrown in at the weights with just 10st 7lb to carry, having been dropped 6lb by the handicapper in the close season.

Aintree's unique demands have rekindled the career of many a chaser in the past and Step On Eyre need only recapture some of his useful 1998/9 form to be hard to beat today.

Gunnerblong looks best in the Children In Need Handicap Hurdle.

He travelled well for a long way when second in the valuable Tote Silver Trophy at Chepstow on his reappearance last month, only to weaken late on as lack of a recent outing told against him.

The seven-year-old will be all the better for that run and can go one place better today

Venetia Williams can collect her second successive First National Gold Cup at Ascot.

Successful with Nordance Prince 12 months ago, this time she saddles Bellator who look a class above his three rivals.

Good Lord Murphy can make a triumphant return to Ascot for the John Doyle Handicap Chase.