Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter

after the wonderful Cheltenham meeting and the brilliant victory of Kauto Star yesterday, today´s meetings in Britain and Ireland are very much an anti-climax. The best racing comes from Uttoxeter, where the Midlands Grand National over 4 miles 1 1/2 furlongs at 16.10 CET tops the card. 17 runners and hardly any of them can be discarded, but proven stamina is important here, as few of the runners have form at this distance. For example, two of the most fancied horses are Kilcrea Asia (Tom George/ Tony McCoy) and Appleaday (Brendan Powell/ Dominic Elsworth), both easy winners last time out 3 miles, but never tested much beyond that trip. One will definitely stay is Badgerlaw (Jessia Harrington/ Andrew Leigh) runner-up on this last year, so he has to be on the short list, together with Mon Mome (Venetia Williams/ Sam Thomas) - despite top weight - front-runner Naunton Brook (Nogel Twiston-Davoes/ David England) and bottom-weight Hold the Pin (Tony Martin/ Robbie Colgan). The ha ndicap hurdle over 2 3/4 miles at 15.35 is another very open affair. German-bred Victorias Groom (Lucy Wadham/ Dominic Elsworth) is an improving sort and despite his big weight should run well. Ex-New Zealander The Shoe (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) runs for the first time in a handicap and considerong the excellet performances by the stable´s hurdlers this week, must be considered, but or main fancy is for Bulwark (Ian Williams/ Tom Scudamore), who won the Chester Cup on the flat last year and looks very fairly treated. Williams and Scu also have good prospects with German-bred Fredo in another handicap hurdle at 16.40.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Dream Garden - Bundle Of Fun - Just Smudge
2. Race: Heraldry - Another Brother - Victorias Groom
3. Race: Kilcrea Asla - Badgerlaw - Operation Houdini
4. Race: Fiendish Flame - Hohlethelonely - Snake Hips
5. Race: Ogee - Acordeon - Bormo
6. Race: Rash Moment - Marufo - Chigorin
7. Race: Secret Stash - Bonadventure - Aberdale