Racing: Scout's victory sign for the Smiths

It almost feels like rubbernecking an accident when you watch horses go into combat against the mighty fences of Aintree, yet there is no more exhilarating a sight to see than a chaser parting the great mounds of spruce as Ardent Scout did yesterday.

Sue Smith's 10-year-old gave the same belligerent message to the Liverpool obstacles as her husband Harvey had aimed at Hickstead officialdom all those years ago, powering home by 24 lengths in the Becher Chase.

Aintree is clearly a manageable peril for Ardent Scout, who has now completed the Becher Chase for three successive years. The gelding was fourth behind Amberleigh House last year and second to Young Kenny 12 months earlier. It remains to be seen if yesterday's performance will earn enough weight to get him into the Grand National itself. "He will definitely be entered for the race, it would be hard not to after that," Sue Smith said. "He is a superb, natural jumper."

Also Aintree bound, in theory at least, is yesterday's runner-up, Amberleigh House, who famously failed to get into the National last year after winning the Becher. He looks a long-awaited Liverpool contender for Ginger "Red Rum" McCain, or, as that partnership might better be called, Red "Ginger McCain" Rum.

As always on Merseyside, there were the moments when you had to watch through the fingers yesterday. Goguenard fell at the first, Valentine's Brook, and his trainer could have been excused for thinking it was going to be a disaster. It was not to be all bad though for Mrs S J Smith.

At the second we lost Bindaree, the National winner of seven months ago, who thereafter became a loose nuisance to the rest of the field. Browjoshy went at the ninth and then Moor Lane departed as Scotton Green and Heidi III were first over the top for much of the way.

By the Melling Road second time though it was the appropriately named Ardent Scout who was the pathfinder. An awesome leap in the hands of Dominic Elsworth at the second-last fence sealed victory as Amberleigh House plugged on at a respectful distance.

Blowing Wind was third to Bindaree and What's Up Boys in the National last spring and a remounted third behind Red Marauder and Smarty 12 months previously. It did not take a genius to guess where he might finish yesterday.

Frankie Dettori had some previous also in yesterday's Japan Cup, having won it in 1996 on Singspiel, and built on that achievement as he guided Falbrav to a thrilling all-Italian success at Nakayama.

It has not been the brightest of campaigns for Dettori, who, according to the whispers, is not the dedicated figure of old, a man whose passion has left town and taken his effectiveness with it. Frankie must have heard all this judging by his reactions on the way back to dismount. He held his head incredulously and offered thanks to the heavens.

Indeed, Dettori was so overcome that he even missed out the flying dismount, which, for him, is like forgetting the zipper when he goes to the men's room. "I'm the happiest man in the world," he said. "Falbrav was easy to ride. He had a good kick and the track suited him well."

Falbrav had been tucked in just behind the front rank after the stalls opened. Dermot Weld's Irresistible Jewel and Golan from the Michael Stoute stable were side by side in the starting gate and next to each other also in the formative stages. There was only one wider than Barry Hills's runner, Storming Home.

In the straight it was Dettori's livery of blue with a yellow band and bow tie which emerged from the pack of mainly Japanese colours. Falbrav was pointed round the outside of Golan by Dettori, his head down, almost as flat as a sheet on the horse's back.

The American representative, Sarafan, with his noseband and Corey Nakatani, came across in the final furlong and intimidated Falbrav, who immediately shoved back. It was playground stuff, but Neil Drysdale, the trainer, was nevertheless minded to launch an objection to the winner.

Golan finished seventh and gallops off into the sunset to take a place alongside his sire Spectrum at the Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Irresistible Jewel was 11th, two places in front of the French entry, Bright Sky. Storming Home, and his cheekpieces, were 15th.

* Tony Dobbin was banned by Aintree's stewards yesterday for two days (3 & 4 December) after his mount Jaseur, third in the second race, was "injured as a result of the rider's use of the whip". Jaseur is on the official list of horses who "mark easily". Dobbin said: "I took every precaution to save marking the horse, I used a cushioned whip and adapted my style. I had to use it because he was running on for me. The stewards gave me a very fair hearing and they took into account that I had done everything possible to avoid marking the horse and they also took into account that he was only slightly marked."