'He seems in great form' - National winner back for another tilt at glory

AXA Farm Insurance Midlands National Handicap Chase (Grade B) | 3m1f | 4yo+ | RTV

This is the inaugural running of the Midlands National as a Grade B contest and it is fitting that Kilbeggan’s biggest race has attracted a line-up of this quality, with several Graded performers in contention alongside an Irish National winner.

Freewheelin Dylan took this race in 2020 before going on to win last year's Irish National, and the Dermot McLoughlin-trained ten-year-old is back for another crack at the €100,000 contest.

He is yet to win a race since that memorable day at Fairyhouse, including when sixth in this last year, and he will have his work cut out off a mark of 144, although his weight is eased by Richie Condon’s 7lb claim.

Gordon Elliott saddles four, while also having Coach Carter in reserve, and although Battleoverdoyen sets a decent standard at the top of the ratings, he may find it difficult to concede weight to some dangerous opponents, including stablemate Hurricane Georgie.

The daughter of Court Cave seems in the form of her life this season, and arrives after two good hurdle wins to go alongside her head defeat to Dolcita in a Listed mares' chase at Fairyhouse in April.

Jack Kennedy has put his faith in the five-year-old, while Hardline and last year's winner The Big Lense complete the Cullentra team.

Henry de Bromhead is another trainer strongly represented, a squad headlined by Connacht National runner-up Popong. Her chances are boosted by Rachael Blackmore taking over duties on the eight-year-old, who will race off only a 2lb higher mark than his Roscommon run.

The Midlands National is a rare blip in Willie Mullins’ CV, and the champion trainer sends three in his quest to land the 2022 race.

Recite A Prayer is perhaps the most intriguing runner in the line-up, arriving in cracking form to the Westmeath track after winning two of his last three, including the Killarney National on his most recent start.

Recite A Prayer and Danny Mullins after victory in the Killarney National.Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Danny Mullins has partnered the Turner family-owned gelding to all three of his wins, and he’s back partnering the seven-year-old off a 7lb higher mark, with Agusta Gold (Paul Townend) and Bacardys (Kieran Callaghan) the other two of Mullins’ trio.

'He seems to like the place'

Dermot McLoughlin winning Nationals is becoming one of the new norms of Irish racing and the Meath trainer will hope to add another big pot success to his CV with Freewheelin Dylan, last year's Irish National hero and winner of this race in 2020.

The ten-year-old was far from disgraced in finishing seventh in the Aintree National in April, a race he led jumping the third-last before fading on the run-in.

Sixth in this race last year, Freewheelin Dylan has won twice here, an important asset around this unique venue, and McLoughlin will hope his stable star can put his best foot forward in the 3m1f contest.

He said: “He seems in great form. It’s his first run back after Aintree and I know we have plenty of weight this time around, but he seems to like the place and we’re hoping for a good run.

“His preparation wasn’t the best going to Aintree and he ran better than I thought he’d run. He jumped well and took to the place well. He seems to like Kilbeggan and he seems to get a tune around there, so it’ll be interesting to see how we go.

“He made all to win in 2020. He’s getting a bit older now and carrying a bit more weight, but he seems to like the place; he’s won there twice, so we’re looking forward to it.”

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Battleoverdoyen, Hardline, The Big Lense and Hurricane Georgie
It looks a good race. We’ve looked at getting Battleoverdoyen back to three miles, and hopefully the step up to it can suit Hardline. Hurricane Georgie looks like she’s in good form. She’s a nice weight and she’s unexposed. The Big Lense won it last year and seems in top form at home.

John Shinnock, rider of Birchdale
It'll be competitive but I'll think he'll run a good race. He's in good form at home. He'll appreciate going back up to three miles and he'll be sharper in the blinkers. I think he'll go well. His jumping is great.

Danny Mullins, rider of Recite A Prayer
He's notched up a nice few form figures. He's shown that he's very consistent. An extra few furlongs might suit better, so I hope the race will be run at a strong pace to play to his strengths. He won nicely in Killarney and hopefully we might have a bit more to offer.

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