15:35 Uttoxeter

Saturday 19 March 2022

All13:2013:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:18

Boulton Group Midlands Grand National (Listed Open Handicap Chase) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 9m 6.2s

Yala Enki⁵⁶

Age: 12| Weight: 11-12| J: Bryony Frost| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 159

20/1

Tremendous stayer who landed Taunton contest for the third year running 8 weeks ago. Previous Cheltenham win, his first handicap success in 3 years, came in a thin race, and he'll need more here.

Form: 314U-11

Hewick^p¹⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jordan Gainford⁽³⁾| T: J J Hanlon| OR: 150

14/1

Much improved in the autumn, making the most of a good opportunity to win the Durham National at Sedgefield when last seen. This is tougher, but he shapes as if he'll stay the much longer trip.

Form: 4P2121

Truckers Lodge^b²⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 149| CD

9/1

Last win came in this 2 years ago off 8 lb lower. Good runs in Welsh National/listed 3m Ascot handicap the last twice and seems sure to go well again.

Form: U77-533

Wholestone²⁸

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 148

20/1

Scored twice over fences during light 2019 campaign and back from 15 months off with victory in attritional 3m Haydock Grade 2 hurdle 4 weeks ago, mistakes but staying on dourly. More needed.

Form: 121/5F-1

Time To Get Up^p1,t²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 142| CD

11/4

Progressive novice chaser last season, readily landing this race from 4 lb lower. Interrupted campaign this term, but lots to like about latest Haydock effort in the mud. Cheekpieces on. Big shout.

Form: 3411-03

Romain De Senam^t³³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-9| J: Fergus Gillard⁽³⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 142

66/1

Smart chaser at up to an easy 3m for Paul Nicholls/Dan Skelton. Bit to prove, not least stamina, on first run for 11 months for new connections with mark looking just.

Form: 64B143-

Screaming Colours^p,t¹³⁹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-9| J: C J Orr⁽³⁾| T: W Durkan| OR: 142

12/1

Not had much racing and proving consistent in staying handicaps, fourth in this last year and running well in Cork National on return in October. Probably just place claims again.

Form: 12224-2

Hear No Evil¹⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: J S McGarvey| T: N C Kelly| OR: 140

40/1

Dual chase winner over 3m. Returned to something like his best back over fences when close second in veterans' handicap at Navan a fortnight ago but this is much harder upped 10f in trip.

Form: 611-062

Final Nudge^t⁷⁰

Age: 13| Weight: 10-4| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 137| BF

14/1

Veteran who retains all his ability, third in this last year and going well in veterans' handicaps this term, successful at Warwick and second at Sandown. Got to be respected after a break.

Form: 81/53-12

Momella^p,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-1| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 134

18/1

Did well over fences last term, winning 3 times at up to 3m. Best run this season when splitting higher-rated rivals on unfavourable terms in listed Exeter contest last month. Not sure to stay here.

Form: 514-442

Captain Drake^p,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-1| J: Bryan Carver⁽³⁾| T: H Fry| OR: 134| C

9/1

Second to Truckers Lodge in this in 2020 and finally landed a National, the Devon version, at Exeter last month having tumbled in the weights. Not an obvious type to follow up.

Form: 0-94P61

Padleyourowncanoe⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Tristan Durrell⁽⁷⁾| T: D Skelton| OR: 133

16/1

Useful for Colin Tizzard and made positive start for this yard after 15 months off when third in 3m Haydock hurdle in December. Poor twice since but has untapped potential for marathon trips.

Form: 443-3P8

Achille^b²¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: Hugh Nugent⁽³⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 130

12/1

Has contested some of the major staying handicaps again this term, running well in the Becher and Welsh National. Poorly placed in this last year (shaped well) and blinkers tried this time.

Form: 26-5470

Young Dev²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: M M McDonagh⁽⁷⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 129| BF

10/1

Won competitive Punchestown handicap hurdle in February under this rider and ran well again there 24 days ago. Not sure he'll be up to this company on his first crack over the sort of trip.

Form: P-03313

De Young Warrior^p1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: J Scott| OR: 129| BF

11/1

Has made a bright start over fences, winning 3m handicaps at Exeter and Chepstow and running well in messy contest at former track last time. Potentially a smart staying chaser. Cheekpieces go on.

Form: 353-112

El Paso Wood^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Philip Armson⁽⁷⁾| T: D Pipe| OR: 129

80/1

Completed 4-timer in French Provinces last year and gained first win for current yard at Wincanton (26.7f) in January. Kept busy since, running poorly last twice. Little appeal upped markedly in trip.

Form: 54123P

Gwencily Berbas^p²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 10-0| J: T Scudamore| T: D Pipe| OR: 128

33/1

Relished first crack at a marathon trip when ending losing run at Exeter (30.7f) in December. Better run since in the Eider at Newcastle 3 weeks ago but has plenty to do here.

Form: 3231P5

Supreme Escape^v⁶⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: Joe Anderson⁽⁷⁾| T: Evan Williams| OR: 123

25/1

All stamina and back to his best in first-time visor when winning North Yorkshire National (30f) at Catterick in January. Upped markedly in class here but probably won't be stopping if he gets round.

Form: 51P-091

Non-Runners

Jersey Bean¹¹⁹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 9

T: O Sherwood J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Time To Get Up (11/4), Truckers Lodge (9/1), Captain Drake (9/1), Young Dev (10/1), De Young Warrior (11/1), Screaming Colours (12/1), Achille (12/1), Jersey Bean (12/1), Final Nudge (14/1), Hewick (14/1), Padleyourowncanoe (16/1), Momella (18/1), Yala Enki (20/1), Wholestone (20/1), Supreme Escape (25/1), Gwencily Berbas (33/1), Hear No Evil (40/1), Romain De Senam (66/1), El Paso Wood (80/1)

TIME TO GET UP has been seen just twice since his smooth success in a red-hot renewal of this last year but caught the eye in a huge way at Haydock 4 weeks ago with a repeat bid in mind. Dropped 2 lb and fitted with cheekpieces, he looks bound to put up a big run. 2020-winner Truckers Lodge seems sure to go well again, while De Young Warrior brings bags of potential to the table and is respected.