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.

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.

Runner-By-Runner Guide:

American

Won on this card two years ago but has been up and down form wise ever since. Currently sits on a mark of 155 and will have to concede weight all round. Conditions will suit him however.

Ms Parfois

Ran disappointingly at Newbury on her seasonal return but she can be excused that. She was consistent throughout her novice campaign and any return to that level of form will see her mixing up with the best in this. Once won a heavy ground bumper here which is a positive.

Folsom Blue

Finished eighth in the Welsh National before coming fourth over hurdles at Sandown last time. An extreme test of stamina is exactly what this veteran performer requires and he ticks many of the boxes here.

Smooth Stepper

Four-time winner over fences when trained by Sue Smith and loves testing ground. Won this time last year over 3m2f at Kelso and will be all the better for the drop in class here. The 10-year-old will gallop all day and he looks well overpriced in the betting.

Dell' Arca

Has amassed £250,000 in career earnings and is on a decent mark. Finished third at Haydock in December under a large weight but there are some question marks about his stamina holding out in this.

Ballydine

Holds decent form lines with Lake View Lad and Carole's Destrier this season and will certainly be at home on the ground. He looks just the type to figure well in a race of this nature.

Dawson City

Winner of the Devon National recently for the second year running and proving that stamina is no issue. Never does anything particularly flashy, he just picks his rivals off one by one at the end of his races.

Prime Venture

A maiden over fences and it would be a surprise if that came to an end here. Can be pretty temperamental at times and refuses to race occasionally.

Arthur's Gift

Won at Carlisle last time and relished the step up to three miles. This will be just his fourth chase however and could it could come as quite a culture shock to the gelding.

Jammin Masters

Has clocked up a sequence of runner-up finishes this season a long haul race may just be the thing he needs to tip the scales of justice back in his favour. Has scored on the point-to-point scene too in the past so the distance will be no problem.

Milansbar

A two-time course winner and he has twice been runner-up in this race. Bryony Frost gets the leg up and the pair famously combined to land the Classic Chase at Warwick. He will certainly see out the race and a top four offering should be on the cards.

Regal Flow

He was the 10-length winner of this race last year but is certainly not showing that same level of form this season. Ran the other day at Taunton, which is exactly the same route his trainer took last year before landing this. Impossible to rule him out.

Raz De Maree

This elder statesman won the Welsh National last season and finished fifth in this year’s renewal. A totally proven stayer and is languishing on a pretty decent handicap mark too. Has to be worthy of an each-way flutter at the least.

Potters Corner

Won at Wincanton on Boxing Day but has fallen a couple of times since. With doubts over his confidence being intact he is probably one to swerve on this occasion.

Chef D'Oeuvre

Won a distance race at Haydock in December after running a decent fourth here the time before. Gets a nice low weight and conditions will suit. Should go well for the man and wife pairing.

Back To The Thatch

Was well fancied for this last season but was pulled up. Ran well at Haydock last time out and connections will be looking for a change of luck this time around.

Get On The Yager

Won the Rowland Merrick last season but bombed out when finishing ninth in this race in 2018. Has had a recent wind-operation so improvement could quite easily be on the cards.

Kilkishen

Finished a good fourth behind Crosspark last time and races off just 1lb higher. Has no proven form in testing ground which is a worry.

Final Nudge

Fell in the 2017 renewal when right up there in contention. He is on a 10lb lower mark now and if he could reproduce some of his old form he would be a live contender.

Jetstream Jack

Was the runner-up in a couple of Grade Two races when he was trained by Gordon Elliott, but that all feels like a long time ago now. Gets in this now off 10st and he wouldn’t be one of the stupidest 66/1 bets in the horse racing odds you’d have this year.

Conclusion:

Not the easiest race to claw your Cheltenham Festival losses back on and invariably this race throws up something none too obvious at a decent price.

Raz De Maree is worthy of some interest as he always tend to arrive late on the scene, picking his way through tired horses, while I was impressed by Chef D'Oeuvre’s win whilst in attendance at Haydock and my thoughts were there was more to come from him this season.

888Sport suggests: Raz De Maree and Chef D'Oeuvre (e/w).

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 race run over a distance of 3 miles 2½ furlongs in which the competitors jump twenty two fences in total. It is open to five year olds and above.

The race is the absolute pinnacle of the National Hunt calendar, Aintree Grand National aside, and is referred to as the “Blue-Riband” of jumps racing.

The Gold Cup is richly sought after by owner, trainer and jockey alike and is generally contested by all the best horses in training in that particular season from both sides of the Irish Sea.

The race was first run as a steeple chase in 1924 and the popularity of the race was lifted by a five year-old called Golden Miller who went on to win the Gold Cup five times in succession for his owner Dorothy Paget.

In 1983 one of the most amazing finishes to the Gold Cup was witnessed when trainer Michael Dickinson had the first five horses home, Bregawn won the race from Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House.

In the modern era winners of the Gold Cup have become, or already were, household names. Desert Orchid, Dawn Run, Best Mate and Kauto Star were all successful and all had their legions of fans and followers.

This year 16 runners go to post.

Gold Cup: Runner-By-Runner Guide

Al Boum Photo (Willie Mullins)

Won the Ryanair Gold Cup Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse by a length from Shattered Love in April 2018.

Was travelling like the winner, before taking the wrong course, in the Champion Novices' Chase (won by The Storyteller) at Punchestown on his final start of that season.

Returned with a win at Tramore on his seasonal debut. Acts on heavy going and there should be more to come.

Anibale Fly (Tony Martin)

Had a wonderful season last year, finishing third in the Gold Cup and fourth in the Grand National.

Has been in good form again this season and will be suited by the conditions underfoot. Could easily be an each-way player and should be considered in the Cheltenham betting.

Bellshill (Ruby Walsh)

Won both the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse and the Punchestown Gold Cup (by ¾ length from Djakadam) last season and recently won the Irish Gold Cup by a short-head from Road To Respect.

Stays all day and is also the choice of Ruby Walsh which is sometimes a tip in itself.

Bristol De Mai (Nigel Twiston-Davies)

Beat Native River, Clan Des Obeaux, Might Bite and Thistlecrack in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November but came a cropper against them in the King George at Kempton.

Finished seventh in this two years ago but will have more favourable conditions this time around.

Clan Des Obeaux (Paul Nicholls)

Has improved out of all recognition this season after his fourth placing in the Betfair Chase.

Officially rated equal to last year’s winner Native River, Clan Des Obeaux probably brings to the table the most solid British chase form on offer so far this season. His trainer is seeking a fifth win in the race.

Definitly Red (Brian Ellison)

He was sent off a well fancied 8/1 chance to win last year's Gold Cup but only managed to finish sixth, beaten 39 lengths by Native River.

The suspicion is that he is just a little shy of the top level and was beaten in a two-runner race at Kelso last time which certainly does not enhance his changes.

Double Shuffle (Tom George)

Without a win since December 2016 and is pitched in at the deep end again here.

Will probably run his usual game race and is no forlorn hope for a place, but for win purposes he is pretty low in the pecking order here.

Elegant Escape (Colin Tizzard)

A thorough stayer who will relish the ground on Friday.

The seven-year-old has had a wonderful season, finishing second in the Ladbrokes Trophy (formerly the Hennessy), capturing the Welsh National and running Frodon close in the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day.

Considered by many as an interesting dark horse in this.

Invitation Only (Willie Mullins)

The longest priced of Willie Mullins's four runners but he could easily be in the mix based on his performance when winning the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in January.

Whether he can follow that up here though remains to be seen.

Kemboy (Willie Mullins)

Kemboy is rising through the ranks and has won his last four chases, beating some of the best horses in Ireland has when winning the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December.

He looks like a thorough stayer and is definitely one of the better ones in the Mullins quartet.

Might Bite (Nicky Henderson)

Gave us a fantastic dual with Native River in last year’s Gold Cup but has not really been the same horse since.

It was reported that he bled in the King George and he has had a small palate procedure since. Connections will be hoping he can bounce back to form now.

Native River (Colin Tizzard)

Won both starts in 2017/18, namely Denman Chase at Newbury and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he dug deep to beat Might Bite 4½ lengths.

Not quite at his best when placed in the Betfair Chase and the King George this season, but will be in his absolute element with the conditions he encounters on Friday afternoon.

Presenting Percy (Pat Kelly)

The current “Scarlet Pimpernel” of National Hunt and comes into this race without a chase run to his name this season.

His preparation may be unconventional but he clearly is a very talented horse and bids to win at The Festival for a third consecutive year.

Thistlecrack (Colin Tizzard)

Had the world at his hooves at one time before injuries curtailed what looked like being the start of something special.

Appears to be recapturing his old form, finishing third in the Betfair Chase and second in the King George and you would feel this would be his last stab at Gold Cup glory.

Yala Enki (Venetia Williams)

Smart handicap chaser who finished third to Elegant Escape in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow in December.

Holds very similar credentials to his former stable-star Mon Mome, who plodded on for a place in this race back in 2010.

Shattered Love (Gordon Elliott)

A classy mare on her day, she won the JLT Novices' Chase at The Festival last year and has had a wind operation since disappointing behind Kemboy at Leopardstown.

Definitely interesting given her trainers record at this meeting.

Conclusion: The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner is...

It’s a wide open affair this year and there are plenty of runners to make a case for, but I am going to plump for Al Boum Photo to bring home the spoils for Willie Mullins and finally take that Gold Cup monkey off his back.

888sport suggests: Al Boum Photo (e/w).

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs Millwall: Best Bets

BCFC – 23/20

Draw – 43/20

Millwall – 5/2

Birmingham host Millwall at St Andrew’s on Wednesday evening and this is the ideal chance for Garry Monk’s side to get back to winning ways.

The Second City derby was disappointing but focusing on the past will not help the Blues in their pursuit of a top-half finish.

23/20 for BCFC to emerge victorious could turn out to be a huge price.

The Blues secured a 2-0 win away at The Den back in November and Monk will have his side raring to go ahead of Wednesday night. Bouncing back at the first possible opportunity is essential.

Under 2.5 goals has landed in the last four meetings between Birmingham and Millwall – that makes the 16/25 for another low-scoring contest very appealing indeed.

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see a nervy affair under the St Andrew’s floodlights.

Having said that, the 11/8 for over 1.5 home goals is a decent price. The Blues were able to create goal-scoring chances at will against Aston Villa but just couldn’t convert.

Better luck on the finishing front could see Birmingham notch a couple of goals on Wednesday.

Millwall have scored in each of their last four league games BUT the Lions have also lost all four of those games.

The 4/9 for over 0.5 away goals isn’t the best price in the world but it could be worth taking if you fancy an entertaining, open contest.

Birmingham are well placed to claim three points in front of an expectant St Andrew’s.

The Blues will want to put in a good performance for fans after a difficult week and Monk will be determined to lead his troops to victory. Watch this space, BCFC will be tough to stop.

23/20 for Birmingham to win is a good price and fans will be hoping for an early goal to settle the nerves.

A close contest looks likely once again – five of BCFC’s last six games have been level or settled by a goal either way.

Prediction: Birmingham 2-0 Millwall (17/2)

Bet of the day: Birmingham to win (23/20)

Outside punt: Birmingham to win to nil (49/20)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

The Ryanair Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase and is run on the New Course on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival.

The race was introduced in 2005 when a fourth day was added to The Festival. Due to its obvious Irish connection, it is run on St Patricks Thursday, the third day of the meeting and has a generous prize-pot.

Albertas Run is the only horse to have won it twice, in 2010 and 2011, with jockey AP McCoy on board on both occasions.

The Ryanair attracts the best middle distance chasers in training and despite only having been inaugurated in 2005, five trainers have each won the race twice – Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O'Neill, David Pipe, Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins.

In 2018, trainer Henry de Bromhead won it for the first time with Balko Des Flos giving Davy Russell yet another Festival win.

Ryanair Chase: Trends & Statistics (Last 12 Years)

• Previous Course Form – 11/12 winners had at least 2 previous runs at Cheltenham, 10/12 winners have had a previous win at Cheltenham.
• Previous Distance Form – 9/12 winners had at least 5 previous runs over 20/21 furlongs, 10/12 winners had at least 2 wins over that distance.
• Price – 4 of the last 12 favourites/joint favourites have won, 10/12 winners have been in the top 3 in the betting
• Age – 9 of the last 12 winners have been ages 7-9.
• Last Run – Only 4 of the last 12 winners won on their previous run before Cheltenham, 8/12 winners ran within the last 61 days.
• Rating – 10/12 winners were rated 161 or higher.

Runner-By-Runner Guide:

Aso (Venetia Williams)

You certainly do not dismiss Venetia Williams runners out of hand when the going is riding as heavy as it is this week, and she has a very decent nine-year-old here in the shape of Aso.

Third in this race 12 months ago, Aso landed Grade 3 course and distance handicap here on New Year's Day but was found out somewhat in a Grade 1 race at Ascot.

He must have a fair chance again here on a level playing field.

Balko Des Flos (Henry de Bromhead)

Held off Un De Sceaux to win this race twelve months ago but has been unable to find the same form this season.

Connections will be hoping that a 76-day break will bring about a change in his fortunes.

Charbel (Kim Bailey)

Ran a cracker of a race in the Peterborough Chase in December but has come up short since and probably isn’t quite up to this level.

Best to look elsewhere on this occasion.

Coney Island (Eddie Harty)

The eight-year-old was well beaten in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at the end of last year and has really not shown anything to suggest that he will trouble the principles in this.

His owner is no stranger to having winners at The Festival which is just about his only saving grace.

Footpad (Willie Mullins)

Footpad was the star of the two-mile novice chasing division last season, winning all of his races, including the Arkle in fine style last March.

However this season has not been all sweetness and light. The seven-year-old fell on his seasonal debut at Naas before being nabbed late by the veteran Simply Ned at Leopardstown over the Christmas period.

Holds a favourites chance but there are certainly some chinks in his armour to be exploited.

Frodon (Paul Nicholls)

An excellent jumper who just keeps on winning and winning. He was victorious in the Caviar Gold Cup over the course and distance before stepping up in trip to land the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase in January.

Looks an absolute place certainty for the very popular jockey, Bryony Frost.

Monalee (Henry de Bromhead)

Monalee could quite easily be Rachael Blackmore’s best chance of a second winner at The Festival within the space of 48 hours.

The eight-year-old was second in the RSA last year before starting an upward curve. A second place to Kemboy in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown was followed by a 2½m Gowran Grade 2 victor where he made all.

This is another runner that should be involved in the shake-up.

Road To Respect (Noel Meade)

This chestnut gelding is what you could call “Mr Consistency” when it comes to plying his trade in these hotly contested Grade 1 races.

He made an impressive winning return at Down Royal in November and ran a barnstormer of a race in the Irish Gold Cup where he was just edged out by Bellshill.

You have to have the upmost of respect for his obvious chances in this contest.

Sub Lieutenant (Henry de Bromhead)

Sub Lieutenant makes up the final piece of the de Bromhead triumvirate but is the least fancied of the trio.

The ten-year-old appears to have been around forever, probably down to the fact that he generally runs in most of Ireland’s top-graded races and generally acquits himself well.

The ten-year-old could easily outrun his odds in this.

Terrefort (Nicky Henderson)

Finished runner-up to Clan Des Obeaux last time out at Ascot but was no match for him in the closing stages.

The six-year-old looks likely to come up just short again in this company.

The Storyteller (Gordon Elliott)

Winner of the Brown Advisory here last year and has been running some very creditable races in defeat this season.

Davy Russell manages to pull a rabbit from out of the hat every single year at The Festival and this horse fits that very kind of profile.

Un De Sceaux (Willie Mullins)

A popular chaser who has showed no signs of his form deteriorating over an amazing six seasons now.

At the age of eleven he can still mix it up with his younger counterparts and the going conditions will be right up his street. It is very difficult to leave him out of any deliberations.

Ryanair Chase 2019 winner is...

Many punters will overlook The Storyteller’s (nap) chances because he does not have a string of ones and twos next to his name in the form book this season, but his actual form figures have been pretty decent runs and he is literally simmering up to the boil.

The two lady jockeys here are on horses that could easily contest the top three places and I would just side with Monalee (nb) to make the podium marginally in front of Frodon.

888sport suggests: The Storyteller (e/w).

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

While the Champions League draw is split across two weeks through the last 16, the Europa League remains intense as the competition plays catch up with its more reputable older brother.

The second legs of the last-16 ties take place this Thursday, featuring a pair of Premier League clubs in different situations as they pursue a quarter final berth.

Dynamo Kyiv vs CHELSEA (5:55pm)

Dynamo Kyiv were thoroughly outplayed at Stamford Bridge last Thursday. Having failed to score an away goal, the hosts are as good as eliminated with a three-goal deficit to overturn.

Dynamo will be forced to chase the game early on and could leave themselves exposed to Chelsea on the counter as a result.

Maurizio Sarri has the opportunity to rotate heavily for this match, perhaps handing starts to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek after the duo came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Wolves on Sunday.

Each Premier League slip up increases the importance of the Europa League for Sarri’s side. Progression might not be under threat here, but a good performance is needed after a poor outing at the weekend.

This will be much more challenging than the first leg was for Chelsea. The chasm in quality was evident in west London, though, making another victory probable.

TIP: Chelsea to win @ 59/50

PREDICTED SCORE: Dynamo Kyiv 1-3 Chelsea (Priced at 16/1 with 888sport)

ARSENAL vs RENNES (8pm)

Sokratis’ red card and some reckless defending have Arsenal up against it here.

A 3-1 defeat in France means a big performance is needed from the Gunners, who will be full of confidence having beaten Manchester United 2-0 at the weekend. Unai Emery’s side have won five in a row at the Emirates and are 3/10 to win this one.

Rennes have only lost twice in 2019 and notched a brilliant 3-1 away win against Real Betis in the last round of the Europa League.

The visitors will fancy their chances of finding the net after causing Arsenal plenty of problems in the first leg. Hatem Ben Arfa was superb last week and could be the difference maker.

This is in the balance. The 10/13 price on both teams to score looks like a good bet. Use 888sport’s betting calculator to build your accumulator around those odds.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 10/13

PREDICTED SCORE: Arsenal 3-1 Rennes (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)

Inter vs EINTRACHT FRANKFURT (8pm)

Inter will have been relatively happy with the 0-0 in Germany last week. Both teams had chances to win the match, but Nerazzurri will be pleased to be in a position where a win in Milan sends them through to the next round.

A Serie A weekend win against SPAL was a handy confidence boost ahead of the second leg.

Eintracht Frankfurt swept Fortuna Dusselforf aside at the weekend to keep their hopes of a top four spot in the Bundesliga alive. Adolf Hutter’s side have not lost in 2019.

Their attack has been free-scoring for most of the season and one goal on Thursday will change the shape of the tie and make them heavy favourites.

Scoreless draws often favour the home side. Playing in the San Siro is a challenge for any team, but Frankfurt’s attack is a good bet to fire them into the last eight with the away goals rule playing a big part.

TIP: Eintracht Frankfurt to go through @ 17/20

PREDICTED SCORE: Inter 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Priced at 21/2 with 888sport)

Slavia Prague vs SEVILLA (8pm)

Slavia Prague staged the upset of the Europa League first legs, drawing 2-2 in Seville last week.

Despite conceding in the first minute, the Czech side came back, scoring twice before half-time. Sevilla were dominant, however, allowing Slavia Prague just six shots in the 90 minutes.

The first leg disappointment was the latest in a long line of poor results for Sevilla this calendar year.

A 5-2 win against Real Sociedad at the weekend will have given the fans some hope ahead of the second leg, though, and kept Pablo Machin’s hopes of a top four finish alive.

Machin’s side face a challenge to balance attack and defence in Prague. Their 5/6 price to progress is fair value, considering their superiority in the first leg.

TIP: Sevilla to go through @ 5/6

PREDICTED SCORE: Slavia Prague 1-2 Sevilla (Priced at 15/2 with 888sport)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*