4m2f (4m2f8y) bet365 Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+)
From the fanfair of the Cheltenham Festival to the gallops of Uttoxeter. The Midlands Grand National always throw up a treat for post-Cheltenham blues. There are quite a few horses that I’m a fan of that are showing up for this marathon contest, which is set to be run in just as gruelling conditions as the rest of the week at Cheltenham has been. Iron Bridge lines up as favourite and he has shown enough in his last two starts in the Welsh National and Haydock Grand National trial for him to be a major player here.
Mr Incredible clearly sees out marathon trips for Willie Mullins, but he is a quirky sort and carrying top-weight off a long break isn’t going to be the easiest of tasks. Autonomous Cloud needs to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Welsh Grand National as well, but go in on a track he lacks if resuming his progress again.
But generally you need to be on a horse that carries less than 11 stone and I still feel like the market (and potentially) the handicapper is underestimating MY SILVER LINING. The grey mare for Emma Lavelle has shown a huge liking for marathon trips in the mud, winning the Warwick Classic Chase off just a 9lbs lower mark before probably hitting the front too soon in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. My Silver Lining probably also jumped in to a well-handicapped sort on that occassion and although she has been raised a further 4lbs for that run, she still only has to carry 10-9.
She has yet to try a four-mile plus trip, but the way she has finished both of her last starts gives enough encouragement that she will also see out this marathon trip.
1pt win My Silver Lining @6/1, 15:00 Uttoxeter, Saturday
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