Tulsa Jack bids for back-to-back wins in Midlands National

Midlands National Handicap Chase | 3m1f | 5yo+ | ATR

Tulsa Jack has run in several 'mini' Nationals and on Friday the Noel Meade-trained eight-year-old will be attempting to win the Midlands version at Kilbeggan for the second consecutive year.

Also successful in the Cork National in 2015, he was beaten a head in the Ulster National at Downpatrick in March and will be making his first appearance since running sixth in the Killarney National in May.

Sean Flanagan’s mount will be attempting to become the first back-to-back winner of the Kilbeggan event since Piano Star was successful for Michael Cunningham in 2008 and 2009.

Meade is also represented by the Gigginstown-owned Net D’Ecosse, a first-fence faller at Limerick on his most recent start and who will be ridden by Jonathan Moore, successful on Tulsa Jack a year ago.

Kilbeggan is Gigginstown chief Michael O’Leary’s home track and, in addition to Net D’Ecosse, he will also be represented by Marinero in a race he won with Ravished in 2015.

Paul Townend, successful for Mouse Morris on Ravished two years ago, partners the same trainer's Baily Moon, a winner of two of his last three starts.

Course form

The Peter Fahey-trained Black Zambezi, successful over 2m4f at the track on his last two starts, steps up in distance and will be running off a mark 9lb higher than when scoring at the course last month.

Supreme Vinnie, twice a course winner over hurdles, will be making his handicap chase debut having run third on his first two starts over fences.

Supreme Vinnie: makes handicap debut over fencesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The Nigel Slevin-trained Mr Boss Man was a course-and-distance winner last month, while Riviera Sun, Ronava and Rock on Fruity (over hurdles) have all won at the track.

McManus squad

JP McManus, last successful in the race with Double Seven in 2013, owns four of the 14 runners – Hash Brown, Riviera Sun, Marchese Marconi and recent Limerick winner Rock On Fruity.

What they say
Noel Meade, trainer of Tulsa Jack and Net D'Ecosse
We gave Tulsa Jack a break after his last run to freshen him up for this race, which has been the plan for some time. He's in good shape but has a lot more weight than last year and that's a bit of a concern. Net D'Ecosse had nowhere to land and that's why he fell at Limerick last time. He's basically a good jumper and while he can race a bit lazily, he's not without a chance.

Mouse Morris, trainer of Baily Moon
He's in good form but this will be big step up and the handicapper could have him in his grasp.

Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, owner of Hash Brown, Riviera Sun, Marchese Marconi and Rock On Fruity
Hash Brown was unlucky to be brought down at the first at Limerick last time. He has the ability to go well in a race like this. Riviera Sun is a course winner and Henry de Bromhead is happy with him. Marchese Marconi has been disappointing and will need to step up his game. Hopefully, he'll improve with experience. It took Rock On Fruity a long time to win over fences but he got off the mark at Limerick last time and came out of the race well. He's run well at the course and we're hoping for a good showing.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Black Zambezi
He's shown he likes the course and while he's going up in distance I don't think that will be a problem. I'd like to see some rain, though, as he wouldn't want it too quick.

Denise O'Shea, trainer of Supreme Vinnie
If the ground stays good he should run well. It's his first handicap and he lacks a bit of experience, but he's very well and we know he handles the track.