'He has a right chance' - the lowdown on Uttoxeter's Midlands Grand National

Boulton Group Midlands Grand National (Listed handicap chase) | 4m2f | 5yo+ | ITV/Sky

The Welsh National stands out like a sore thumb when pinpointing the ideal trial for the Midlands National for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the ground tends to be bottomless for both races and secondly, the near three-month gap is adequate time for those who ran at Chepstow to peak for another major jackpot.

Potters Corner achieved the notable double in 2019 – albeit winning at Uttoxeter first – and Truckers Lodge, third in this season's Welsh National, bids to claim this prize for a second time.

The 2020 Midlands National winner loves this kind of test and has less to prove than most. He ran a blinder in the Swinley Chase at Ascot last month over a trip several furlongs short of his best, battling back to finish a close third. He should run his usual honest race off 2lb higher.

Last year's Midlands National was unusual as it took place on good to soft ground. Time To Get Up got up just in time from Mighty Thunder and is out to create a piece of history for JP McManus as the first two-time Midlands National scorer.

His defeats this season are excusable. The first came over a 2m5f trip way short of his best and in the second he was going just as well rounding the home turn as the smooth-travelling Bristol De Mai at his beloved Haydock. The 33-length margin of defeat behind The Galloping Bear does not reflect the quality of his performance and he might have needed it after a break.

David Pipe won four Midlands Nationals on the spin from 2011 to 2014 but form figures of 9PPPP from his five runners in the interim are less inspiring.

El Paso Wood, Gwencily Berbas and Romain De Senam, his three runners, have all opened up at big prices but the last-named is worth keeping an eye on under talented 3lb claimer Fergus Gillard.

Romain De Senam makes his debut for the yard after leaving Dan Skelton and ran a series of good races last season. The trip will probably stretch him but he could have more to offer as a stayer down the line.

Wholestone makes most appeal of those at double-figure odds. A four-time Grade 2-winning hurdler, Wholestone switches back to fences after overcoming the odds in the Rendlesham Hurdle in February following a 455-day break.

This is only his fourth chase but he jumps fences perfectly well and veterans have a decent record in this race. The marathon trip is a venture into the unknown but stamina was always a strong suit of his over hurdles.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Hanlon keen on Hewick as Ireland fields four

Irish trainers made a habit of targeting this race in the 1990s and early 2000s, with six wins in 13 runnings, but there has been only one successful raid in the last 15 years.

No fewer than four set out to score for Ireland, with Shark Hanlon entrusting Jordan Gainford with the ride on Hewick, who was last seen when winning the Durham National at Sedgefield in October.

Hewick comes home in splendid isolation to win the Durham NationalCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hanlon said of the seven-year-old: "He has a right chance. The rain that fell the other day wasn't ideal but it's drying the whole time. He'll run well if it's not heavy and I don't think it will be."

The royal blue Durkan family silks, made famous by Anaglogs Daughter, Carrow Boy and L'Antartique, are carried by the 11-year-old Screaming Colours, who was fourth in this race 12 months ago.

The Noel Kelly-trained Hear No Evil was beaten a neck in a Navan veterans' handicap chase a fortnight ago.

Young Dev has run in only three chases since the end of his novice season in the spring of 2020 but has been kept busy enough over hurdles by Denis Hogan, who is enthusiastic about his chances.

"He's in great nick," said Hogan. "He'll love the trip and the conditions. We could have gone for the Leinster National but we think this will be a better option. He's 4lb out of the handicap but Mark [McDonagh] takes off 7lb. We're very happy with him."

What they say

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Yala Enki and Truckers Lodge
Truckers Lodge won the race two years ago and ran very well at Ascot the other day, so he should have a nice chance. Yala Enki has had a great season and always runs his best but has probably got it all to do at the weights.

Wholestone: back with a bang at HaydockCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Wholestone
He did really well in the Rendlesham Hurdle. He's been good over fences in the past and, although he's never been over this extreme distance, he was the only one staying on at Haydock, so hopefully he'll be all right.

Harry Fry, trainer of Momella and Captain Drake
We were very pleased to see Captain Drake bounce back to form at Exeter last time having been given a chance by the handicapper. He's been runner-up in this race and if that's relit the fire hopefully he can be very competitive again. This is likely to be Momella's last run before she heads off to stud and we thought we'd have a go off a featherweight. Stamina has always been her forte and last time she finished second behind Snow Leopardess, who is not unfancied for the Grand National. The trip's an unknown but she seems in good form and she'll no doubt do her best.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Padleyourowncanoe
I've had this race in mind for him for a long time. Tristan [Durrell] rides him because he's got 10st and he'll take even more weight off him. I don't think the trip's an issue. The one time we ran him in a chase [since he came to us], he got no further than the second fence when he got the reins stuck in his legs. I'm looking forward to getting him back out there over fences.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Achille
He ran well in this race last year and also performed well in the Welsh National. He has struggled since but is in good form. Despite his advancing years he remains very enthusiastic.

Jeremy Scott, trainer of De Young Warrior
We're slightly out of the weights with Yala Enki in the race. This is the sort of trip he needs and I see him as a Welsh National type in the long term. He wants soft ground.

Evan Williams, trainer of Supreme Escape
The trainer is mad running him from so far out of the weights, absolutely mad. But I've got this feeling that the race might suit him. Joe Anderson is a good, solid lad who claims 7lb, which obviously you have to do. It's crazy but I think it's worth having a go.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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