5 jumps meetings today

Obviously none of the races at today´s 5 N.H. meetings (two of them in Ireland) can compare with the sport on offer for the past 4 days at Cheltenham, but the Midlands Grand National over an extended 4 miles at 16.50 CET at Uttoxeter is an interesting race, though unlikely to have any bearing on the Aintree race. The going is heavy after a lot of rain and endless stamina is the quality which will be required here.

Last year Master Overseer (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) won this after a gruelling battle with Major Malarkey (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), but we definitely expect the latter to take his revenge this time. He is a massive 17 lbs better off and his stable is in great form. Carruthers (Mark Bradstock/ Nico de Boinville) has top-weight here, but stays well and goes on the ground; he will probably make the running and cannot be ignored despite his high weight. Easily the best of the lightweights is Chac du Cadran (Colin Bealby/ Tom Messenger), who made all to win over slightly shorter at Catterick last time, but we shall stick to Major Malarkey.

At Ffos Las, the going will also be heavy. German-bred Lava Lamp (Evan Williams/ Adam Wedge) is a horse we like; he runs in the 2 1/2 mile handicap hurdle at 16.40, a race he won last year, and must have a chance of doubling up. He would probably prefer better ground, and the two we are most frightened of are Rigidity (Tom Vaughan/ Jason Kiely)- dropping in grade after having no chance in better company, but very well handicapped on his old form - and Scoter Fontaine (Rebecca Curtis/ Patrick Corbett), who has been very lightly raced this season but certainly capable of playing a major mole off this rating.

Nicky Henderson is on a high after his excellent Cheltenham meeting and can continue on his winning ways at Kempton. Malt Master (Tony McCoy) should be able to beat his two opponents in the novice chase at 15.50, while Barry Geraghty has good chances on Shernando at 16.25, the Queen´s Open Hearted at 17.35, a brother to last week´s Sandown winner Close Touch, and in the bumper at 18.40 with debutant West Wizard, who is out of a Königsstuhl mare.