The Midlands Grand National is a Listed handicap Steeplechase run over a distance of 4 miles, 1 furlong and 110 yards, and since 1991, has been run on the Saturday straight after the Cheltenham Festival.
Because of the proximity of Uttoxeter from Cheltenham, many racegoers, especially the Irish add an extra day onto their racing holiday to swell the bumper crowd on the day.
Since 1969, the Midlands Grand National has been the jewel in the crown of horse racing within the region.
The atmosphere is always one of excitement and anticipation as people await the biggest raceday in the Midlands. That excitement is always fuelled by the action witnessed throughout the previous Cheltenham Festival week.
Last year’s winner Potters Corner went on to win this season’s Welsh Grand National and is a leading fancy for the Aintree version next month.
Some interesting facts on the race include:
- Widest winning margin – Another Excuse (1996) – distance.
- Leading trainer - David Pipe Minella Four Star (2011), Master Overseer (2012), Big Occasion (2013), Goulanes (2014).
- Narrowest winning margin – Fighting Chance (1974), Knock Hill (1988) – head.
- Most runners – 22, in 1978, 1979 and 1981.
- Fewest runners – 6, in 2000.
15 runners go to post and here is your runner-by-runner guide:
De Rasher Counter (Emma Lavelle)
The eight-year-old was an impressive winner of the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury back in November but made mistakes at Cheltenham last time out and was put in his place by Santini and Bristol De Mai.
Lavelle now returns to Uttoxeter with him, a meeting where De Rasher Counter was successful last year.
Dominateur (Oliver Sherwood)
Oliver Sherwood had lofty plans for this seven-year and he had entries in both RSA and the National Hunt Chase at The Festival, before he was comprehensively beaten in the Towton Chase at Wetherby.
This is a brand new trip for him.
Joe Farrell (Rebecca Curtis)
A runner whose stamina should not be in question is Joe Farrell, the winner of the 2018 Scottish National which was his last victory to date.
He did well to finish seventh in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury and is the ideal type for a race of this nature.
Truckers Lodge (Paul Nicholls)
Truckers Lodge, second to Potters Corner in the Welsh National, has been heading the betting all week and understandably so based upon that performance alone.
The eight-year-old missed the Grand National Trial at Haydock recently in preference to this.
Captain Drake (Harry Fry)
He won a 10-runner handicap at Exeter by five and a half lengths from The Kings Writ on New Year’s Day but unseated last time out at Ascot.
He really needs to brush up his jumping to be competitive.
Christmas In April (Colin Tizzard)
Many people thought Christmas In April would be heading to Cheltenham but the plan has always been to run here for some time.
The progressive young stayer is having a season to savour and he may still be one step ahead of the handicapper coming into this.
Prime Venture (Adam Wedge)
Prime Venture was a good fourth in the Welsh National this season and finished in the same position in this very race last year.
He stays all day and should put in another solid performance.
Just Your Type (Charlie Longsdon)
Just Your Type has plenty of experience already over these extreme distances after sixth in last year’s Eider Chase and second in this season’s Border National.
If he can put his disappointing run at Wetherby to one side then he is an each-way player for sure.
Potters Legend (Lucy Wadham)
The ten-year-old was a useful individual a few seasons ago before an injury saw him off the track for a year.
He has been showing glimmers of his old self this term and his third place in a Veterans’ Chase at Doncaster was highly encouraging.
Se Mo Laoch (Brian McMahon)
This year’s sole Irish raider comes into the race on the back of a hard fought win over 3 miles in heavy ground at Navan.
He should handle the trip and he will probably be overlooked by many in the betting as he is from a fairly unknown stable.
Petite Power (Fergal O’Brien)
O’Brien’s charge took third place behind leading Grand National fancy Kimberlite Candy in the Classic Chase at Warwick and was a leading fancy in the cancelled Eider Chase.
The eleven-year-old is enjoying a renascence of form this season and should be in the mix.
Sheneededtherun (Sam Allwood)
The stable is very much in form at the moment and this mare has been a revelation this season for the team, clocking up a four-timer with her wide margin win at Bangor last time.
There is no reason why she can’t put it up to them again here.
Very First Time (Dan Skelton)
Out of Like A Virgin, this gelding boasts a 50% win strike rate this season, with the latest of those wins coming at Doncaster in fairly testing conditions under Bridget Andrews.
There is every chance he might stay this extended distance and Harry Skelton rides Uttoxeter well.
Rathlin Rose (David Pipe)
After finishing sixth in the Velka Pardubicka last October, the veteran chaser has struggled with his form all season long.
It looks highly unlikely that David Pipe will add to his tally of Midlands National victories with this old lad.
Financial Outcome (Rebecca Curtis)
The seven-year-old is consistently placed but only has one Rules victory to his name to speak of.
Languishing at the bottom of the weights, trainer Rebecca Curtis will be hoping some of her horse racing betting luck rubs off here with another outsider doing the business for the yard, and topping off a great week.
Conclusion
The Midlands Grand National really needs some getting when the going is described as “heavy” at Uttoxeter and for that reason I shall be siding with the proven stayer- Joe Farrell (nap).
Just Your Type (nb) ran too bad to be true at Wetherby, but if he is back on song he will be plodding on when plenty of the others have cried enough.
888sport suggests: Joe Farrell & Just Your Type (e/w).
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Amr Nabil / AP Photo*
