15:35 Uttoxeter

Saturday 17 March 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Betfred Midlands Grand National (Listed Handicap Chase)

Off time: 15:38 | Winning time: 9m 44.0s

Silsol^b,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost⁽³⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 144

14/1

Good 5th in the Welsh National back in December but got no further than the first fence last time at Haydock. Handles heavy ground well, from a top yard and has top conditional on board. Fairly handicapped on best form.

Form: 2/81-05U

Milansbar^b²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-10| J: Jack Andrews⁽⁷⁾| T: N B King| OR: 142| C

10/1

First-time blinkers did the trick two starts ago when landing fine win in Classic Chase at Warwick. Fair effort since in Eider Chase but handicapper may have him now and no surprise to see connections looking to take 7lb off.

Form: P-63U15

Get On The Yager⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-8| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 140

6/1

Won well at Fontwell and Wetherby (Grade 3) in December and probably found trip on sharp side over 2m4f last time. 7lb higher than last winning mark and has to go 1m further than ever before. Respected all the same.

Form: 8-66112

Hainan²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 139

12/1

Has run well in each of last three starts in good staying handicap. Handles heavy ground and may still be improving, but niggling doubt about this marathon trip in these conditions. Yard won this in 2008 with Himalayan Trail.

Form: 35-P134

Benbens⁷⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-6| J: Mr Zac Baker⁽⁵⁾| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 138

16/1

Probably handicapped to the hilt but is a credit to his trainer at the age of 13. Third in last term's Scottish National and won London National at Sandown in December off 3lb lower mark. Better though on a sound surface.

Form: 34-7419

Western Climate⁶³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: James Bowen⁽³⁾| T: T H Weston| OR: 137

14/1

Raised 12lb for wide-margin win at Exeter in January but not disgraced against good mare Ms Parfois at Warwick in listed race last time. Never gone this far before but worth a try and will handle conditions.

Form: 3/3P114

Regal Flow⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 11| Weight: 11-3| J: Sean Houlihan⁽⁵⁾| T: R H Buckler| OR: 129

16/1

Win earlier in the week at Taunton over 3m4f was as far as he's ever gone so not out of it if handling an extra 6f. No penalty incurred so is in with a shout if recovered from his exertions.

Form: 2-39121

Alfie Spinner^p,t⁷⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 11-1| J: R Patrick⁽⁵⁾| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 133

14/1

Mud-loving veteran who excelled himself when runner-up in Welsh National last time out. Ninth in this race last year and didn't seem to get home, so looks up against it once again unless market tells a different story.

Form: 149-P22

West Of The Edge^p²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: W T Kennedy| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 131

5/1

Raised 3lb after finishing fine second in the 4m Eider Chase at Newcastle last time. Trip not an issue and handles heavy ground so entitled to be on the premises.

Form: 71-3722

Ballymalin⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-12| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 130

16/1

Has won in these conditions but probably prefers better ground these days. Not run well last three starts but is now 8lb lower than when landing novice chase at Worcester earlier in the campaign.

Form: 5-13P3F

Bob Ford^h⁹⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 10-12| J: S Bowen| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 130

14/1

Pulled up in this racing in 2015 & 2016. Fell at Chepstow in December on last start . Has won in heavy but needs to raise his game on recent evidence.

Form: P4P-15F

Back To The Thatch²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-11| J: T J O'Brien| T: H D Daly| OR: 129

11/2

Unexposed youngster who won well at Chepstow in January and was travellng strongly off 9lb higher mark when falling at 16th fence in Eider Chase at Newcastle last time. May still be improving and rates a contender if able to see out the trip.

Form: 9-F231F

Themanfrom Minella^b,t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Max Kendrick⁽⁵⁾| T: B I Case| OR: 128

33/1

Heavy ground wins this term at Wincanton and Warwick have seen him raised 15lb. Appeared not tostay when tackling 4m at Newcastle last time and has point to prove at this trip in this company.

Form: PP211P

Plus Jamais²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: Ross Chapman⁽³⁾| T: I Jardine| OR: 127

25/1

Scottish raider has mixed hurdling with chasing to great success of late winning four of his last five starts. Not gone beyond 3m to date so debatable whether he'll having anything to offer going into unknown territory.

Form: 211-161

Krackatoa King^v²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-8| J: L P Aspell| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 126| BF| C

20/1

Scored bravely here over 3m2f in heavy ground in November and generally run well this term. Only blemish when stepped up in trip at Warwick penultimate start so not guaranteed to get home.

Form: 1-21284

Russe Blanc^b⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 10-5| J: D R Fox| T: Kerry Lee| OR: 123| C

33/1

Been a good servant but doesn't look the force of old and has pulled up on his last two starts, most recently at Warwick where he lost touch some way from home. Others are much preferred.

Form: 5-4U4PP

Billy Bronco⁶⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Adam Wedge| T: Evan Williams| OR: 122

25/1

Yard won this in 2016 with Firebird Flyer. Yet to win in just three times over fences, but is interesting having looked a thorough stayer when keeping on over 3m6f last time. Ground not an issue so worth a second glance off low weight.

Form: 214-342

The Artful Cobbler²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Andrew Tinkler| T: H D Daly| OR: 121

8/1

Gone up a total of 20lb of late having rattled off an impressive hat-trick and was brave in heavy ground over 3m5f at Lingfield latest. has little weight and may stay this trip so worth taking into consideration.

Form: 3P-3111

Forecasts

West Of The Edge (5/1), Back To The Thatch (11/2), Get On The Yager (6/1), The Artful Cobbler (8/1), Milansbar (10/1), Hainan (12/1), Silsol (14/1), Alfie Spinner (14/1), Western Climate (14/1), Bob Ford (14/1), Regal Flow (16/1), Ballymalin (16/1), Benbens (16/1), Krackatoa King (20/1), Billy Bronco (25/1), Plus Jamais (25/1), Themanfrom Minella (33/1), Russe Blanc (33/1)

Henry Daly holds a strong hand in this marathon slog with both his Back To The Thatch and The Artful Cobbler in good form this season and they should be thereabouts. A chance is taken though on outsider BILLY BRONCO from the yard that won this race two years ago. He is completely unexposed in handicap company over this trip, handles conditions, and the way he kept on last time suggests he may well last out this 4m2f. There are a host of others who could go well, with the likes of Get On The Yager and West Of The Edge respected along with Alfie Spinner, Hainan and Silsol.