Arnold Layne, a faller when the well-backed favourite for Warwick’s Classic Chase, is 6-1 market leader with the sponsors for the totesport Eider at Newcastle on Saturday.

Mr Pointment will have to defy a welter of statistics if he is to claim John Smith’s Grand National glory at Aintree.

JIMMY O’REILLY has not had the best of starts to 2007 but Northerner could bring about a welcome return to form for the yard at Southwell.