15:35 Uttoxeter

Saturday 18 March 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:50

Betfred Midlands Grand National (Listed Handicap Chase)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 9m 11.0s

Houblon Des Obeaux^p²⁸^{(ex 30)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 144

20/1

Finished third in the Welsh National before acquitting himself well in a couple of similar Grade 3 handicaps. Slightly below par last time out in a tough race at Haydock; capable of bouncing back but tough ask under topweight, despite being 2lb lower than when he won the Denman Chase at Newbury last season.

Form: 99841P-

Final Nudge^p³⁵^{(ex 18)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: T E Whelan| T: David Dennis| OR: 140

14/1

Useful over hurdles and has adapted very easily to the chasing game; won three of his five starts but is now 5lb higher than when winning over 3m at Newbury last time out. This extra distance combined with the hike in the weights leaves him with a bit more to prove.

Form: 2531-13

Benbens³⁸⁸

Age: 12| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁷⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 139

50/1

Back on the same mark as when successful in a veterans' chase at Aintree in October 2015; respected but has been struggling to hit top form since then, and recent outing have left something to be desired. Others make more appeal.

Form: 1058-P3

Gevrey Chambertin^b²¹^{(ex 12)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-7| J: C O'Farrell| T: D Pipe| OR: 139

12/1

Represents a yard which won four consecutive renewals of this race between 2011-2014 and is useful on his day. Was still going well when he unseated his rider in the Eider at Newcastle last time out, would be harsh to judge him on that performance alone. But his limitations were exposed when he was never a threat in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock earlier in the season; this looks a tough assignment for him.

Form: 1-P762U

Firebird Flyer^p1⁴⁵^{(ex 30)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-6| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 138

33/1

Pulled up in his last two starts, so obviously has something to prove in his bid to retain the crown he won last year. His proven stamina is a big plus and back on the same mark as last year. First-time cheekpieces may help him concentrate but history is against him, as no horse has ever won back-to-back renewals.

Form: 21-28PP

Blakemount²⁶^{(ex 12)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 136

20/1

Yard excels with staying chasers so very feasible this step up in distance will bring about some further improvement. Had the likes of Alfie Spinner 10l adrift when winning at Carlisle last month but was just short of the mark and made mistakes under 7lb extra at the same track last time out, so needs to raise his game a little this time around.

Form: 3351-25

Alfie Spinner^p,t³⁸^{(ex 18)}

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: J E Moore| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 135

25/1

Set to race from 6lb higher than his winning mark at Wincanton on his penultimate start and has a bit to prove after being held on similar terms at Carlisle recently. Pulled up in this year so also has a question to answer regarding his stamina over a marathon trip.

Form: 476/481-

Out Sam^p²¹^{(ex 12)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: W Greatrex| OR: 135

20/1

Had his sights lowered this season but has returned very little in the way of results. Possible he may improve for the extra demands on his stamina but has plenty to prove after being pulled up at Newcastle last month.

Form: 1177-8F

Goulanes^b,t¹⁴^{(ex 12)}

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: N D Fehily| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 135

14/1

Pulled up in the Welsh National before winning the 2014 renewal of this race for David Pipe and actually comes into this after a similar preparation - was pulled up in the National again at Chepstow in December, and then fell at an early stage in a veterans chase at Newbury in his only other start. He is very lightly raced for one of his age but there is a lot that needs to be taken on trust this time around.

Form: 20P1/PF

Gonalston Cloud^p⁴²^{(ex 24)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-3| J: Henry Brooke| T: N Kent| OR: 135

16/1

Has a good record since switching to chasing and has looked a likely type for one of the 'Nationals' for a while now; as he shapes as if he will enjoy the challenge of an extreme distance. Won over an extended 3m3f off a mark of 125 at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and has proved his well being with a couple of near misses from revised higher marks subsequently. One to bear in mind with ground conditions likely to also be in his favour.

Form: 1112-P5

Silver Man^b¹⁴⁷^{(ex 12)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: W T Kennedy| T: J Hughes| OR: 134

40/1

Hasn't won since 2015 but has got his act together since reverting to racing in blinkers rather than a hood; and arrives here on the back of a string of consistent performances. Also notable that he ran well at the course in the Summer Cup last July and, given that he has scope to improve over the trip, he should not be underestimated. Wouldn't want the ground to be too soft though.

Form: 3233P-6

Mysteree²¹^{(ex 24)}

Age: 9| Weight: 11-1| J: R T Dunne| T: M Scudamore| OR: 133

8/1

Won 50% of his starts over fences and is suited by a good test, as displayed with a grinding performance to win the Eider Chase at Newcastle last month - readily banishing the memory of below par previous effort in the Sussex National at Plumpton in January. Raised 6lb, his revised mark of 133 puts him in the bracket of a number of previous winners of this race, and assuming there is sufficient juice in the ground, he looks set for another bold effort.

Form: 13148-1

Warrantor^t²⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: G Sheehan| T: W Greatrex| OR: 133

16/1

Runner up in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last November but was no better than mid-division in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last time out; so needs to put in a more enthusiastic round of jumping. Already receiving a little respite from the handicapper but may need a little more assistance.

Form: P2-2573

Cogry²⁹^{(ex 12)}

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Jamie Bargary⁽³⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 133

12/1

Hasn't enjoyed the best of fortune over fences in recent times but is capable when he holds his nerve. Finished third in this last year from a 3lb lower mark, and no issues with the predicted going description so has a live each-way chance again if he can build on his recent effort at Sandown.

Form: 33-FBUF

Emperor's Choice^b²¹^{(ex 36)}

Age: 10| Weight: 11-0| J: L Treadwell| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 132

33/1

Has a poor completion record since winning the 2014 Welsh National but has dropped to a handy mark as a result. Also needs to defy the race statistics, as no 10-year-old has been successful in this since 1994. Proven stamina and a liking for some give underfoot do help bolster the case for defence though.

Form: 41/1PP-8

Spookydooky^t²²^{(ex 6)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Killian Moore⁽³⁾| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 131

6/1

Had some very good form as a novice but was clobbered in the ratings as a result. Was also raised 5lb for finishing third at Exeter recently, which looks very harsh on face value. However, his trainer, who won this with Synchronised back in 2010, can have a stayer primed and ready on the day, so a market move will be very interesting to note.

Form: 244P-68

Court Frontier¹³^{(ex 18)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: D F O'Regan| T: Paul Morgan| OR: 131

10/1

Arrives here at the top of his game and has been a revelation since being sent over fences by his new trainer. A 21lb hike in the ratings since January is a hefty burden to overcome and faces his toughest test by quite some way; but he has risen to every challenge of late and, given that he stayed on really when upped in trip last time out, this extra distance may not be too much of an issue.

Form: 09-782P

Chase The Spud³⁸^{(ex 12)}

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 130

11/1

Claims on the best of his form but has a bit to find with a few of today's rivals; respected but does look a risky option for win only purposes on this occasion.

Form: 2P13-72

Portrait King^v1²¹^{(ex 18)}

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: A W Short⁽⁷⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 130

25/1

Stays well (finished sixth in last year's Welsh National) and handles most types of ground. Brought down at the first fence during his latest start, so that run can be forgiven, but is unlikely to be improving at his age and needs the first-time visor to work small wonders for him at the business end.

Form: 630-986

Mad Brian^t²⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 11| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: Mrs G Callaghan| OR: 129

13/2

Highly rated as a novice but has been quite some time since he won over fences. Tumbled down the rating and his confidence will have been boosted by a recent victory over timber. Back to form over fences with a solid run at Punchestown last month and also interesting to note the champion jockey is booked for the ride. A little bit to prove but an interesting contender nevertheless.

Form: FP-5P75

Forecasts

Spookydooky (6/1), Mad Brian (13/2), Mysteree (8/1), Court Frontier (10/1), Chase The Spud (11/1), Cogry (12/1), Gevrey Chambertin (12/1), Final Nudge (14/1), Goulanes (14/1), Warrantor (16/1), Gonalston Cloud (16/1), Houblon Des Obeaux (20/1), Blakemount (20/1), Out Sam (20/1), Portrait King (25/1), Alfie Spinner (25/1), Emperor's Choice (33/1), Firebird Flyer (33/1), Silver Man (40/1), Benbens (50/1)

A solid line up is set to face the tapes for what will be a most stern test of stamina and resolution. The likes of Mysteree and Court Frontier have to be given plenty of respect as leading contenders on these terms, and certainly come into the reckoning as options for savers for punters who like to cover a few corners. However, GONALSTON CLOUD is a more adventurous alternative and, given that he may excel when he starts to draw on the reserves of his stamina, he rates as good value on these terms. The recent record of 10-year-olds is a slight concern but his proven determination is a persuasive factor. Others capable of making the frame include Silver Man and Cogry, who have gone well at the course in the past, while Mad Brian ran a blinder at Punchestown recently and can give Richard Johnson, who is bound to have been buoyed by guiding home the winner of the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday, another good spin from the foot of the handicap.