EXCITING times lie ahead for Peter Beaumont. Not only has the Brandsby trainer a leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender under his care, but he is also aiming to be double-handed in the Martell Grand National.

While Hussard Collonges, also a National entry, is being specifically prepared for the Gold Cup on March 13, Bobby Grant and, hopefully, Niki Dee will be on duty for Beaumont at Aintree on the first Saturday in April.

Last week's publication of the Grand National weights saw Bobby Grant allotted 10st 6lb, with Niki Dee on 9st 5lb. Beaumont was well-satisfied. He said: "I have always thought Bobby Grant was a National-type and he has got a handy weight, and it means that Russ Garritty will be able to ride him without putting up any overweight."

Although well-beaten on his latest outing at Uttoxeter, Beaumont cited the heavy ground as the reason for that performance. "He goes on soft ground, but it was barely raceable at Uttoxeter," he said. "We will be aiming to give him one more run before the Grand National, in the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup Chase at Haydock on March 1."

Niki Dee, an unfortunate faller at the fourth fence in last year's Grand National, having finished third in the same race in 2000, is being prepared for another tilt at the Merseyside marathon. He is, though, out of the handicap proper and so far down the list that he is not guaranteed to get a run at Aintree. Beaumont, however, lives in hope that he will make the cut.

"It would be nice to take him back there again," said Peter, who is currently searching for a suitable comeback race for his lightly-raced gelding. "We could do with getting a run into him before the National and, after a couple of more pieces of work, he'll be ready for a race."

Hussard Collonges, given a hefty 11st 7lb at Aintree, has the Gold Cup has his prime target. Beaumont bypassed the opportunity last Sunday of running him in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown, a race he won three times in succession with Jodami, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup a decade ago.

"It would have been interesting to have seen him run in Ireland, but I'm pleased we didn't go. It looked very sticky ground and I wouldn't have wanted him to have another hard race before Cheltenham," said the handler.

Instead, Beaumont will rely on giving Hussard Collonges a racecourse gallop, or even two, before his big day next month. "He's a straightforward horse to train in any case and is a very willing and enthusiastic worker at home," he added.

Malton jockey Russ Garritty, counting off the days to Cheltenham, will be having his first-ever Gold Cup mount on Hussard Collonges. Not that such an occasion will come even close to fazing the vastly-experienced pilot. "It might be the Gold Cup, but you've just got to treat it like any other race," says Garritty, who has every reason to be optimistic about his chances of victory.

"The horse's form is rock-solid and he's trained by a man, who has already had a Gold Cup winner, so he couldn't be in better hands," he said. "All we want now, on the run-up to the race, and in the race itself, is a bit of luck."

Updated: 10:55 Wednesday, February 12, 2003