CHELTENHAM has come and gone for another year.
Thankfully, Uttoxeter stages it’s valuable Midlands Grand National meeting to help you through the post-Festival blues.
TAMBURA won easily in the mud at Plumpton earlier this week.
She is turned out quickly under a penalty but she has been found another good opening here by trainer Neil King.
She gets the nod ahead of Ostuni, who was well-fancied when last-sighted at Southwell but unseated at the first. He has a chance if cutting out the errors.
Same Circus is the pick of the remainder in a trappy opener.
If you forgive OVER TO SAM his run at Exeter he would have a chance.
He was a ready winner at Plumpton two starts ago and was travelling a jumping nicely in a hot race at Exeter until making a shuddering error at the 11th fence.
He was found to have bled and been struck into after the race, so you can put a line through that piece of form. He is well worth another chance off a fair mark.
Tough mare Midnight Tune regained the winning thread in pleasing fashion at Warwick and she stays all day.
She is feared most, while Sam’s Adventure and Cloudy Glen are also worth a place on the shortlist.
Plenty in with chances in a wide-open contest.
It could pay to side with KATESON, who has slipped to a very attractive mark.
It didn’t work out for him over fences but he goes back hurdling after a wind op and sporting a first-time tongue tie.
Nordano stayed on strongly to win impressively over this trip at Ascot last time out and he should make a bold bid in spite of a 13lb rise.
Main Fact is on a roll at present and has to enter calculations, while Caswell Bay and Dostal Phil are also closely considered.
TRUCKERS LODGE has been kept fresh for this since his excellent second in the Welsh National.
The improving eight-year-old went down fighting behind Potters Corner on 27 December and is surely still well-weighted off 141.
Talented claimer Lorcan Williams takes off a handy 3lb and the forecast testing conditions won’t be a problem.
Christmas In April boasts a similarly progressive profile and he was barely out of second gear when successful at Exeter.
He poses a major threat, as does course winner Petite Power who could relish this marathon trip.
De Rasher Counter has a big weight to carry but he brings a touch of class to proceedings.
He still has a massive task on trying to concede almost a stone all round.
At a price, dour stayer Just Your Type could run well on the back of a wind op.
GUSTAVIAN looked a horse with a bright future when winning easily under similar conditions at Exeter.
This step up in trip should suit and he is narrowly preferred to Espion, who has chased home some smart horses of late. He will appreciate the step up to 2m4f.
Archie Brown won well enough at Market Rasen and is also a likely big player, but Eglantier will need to step up to figure.
GRAND TURINA shaped with plenty of promise on her return from a long lay-off at Doncaster.
Provided she can run to a similar level, and avoid the dreaded bounce, she will take all the beating.
Absolutely Dylan didn’t get home over 3m at Catterick and will be happier back down at this trip.
He is the main danger ahead of recent course runner-up Pembroke House.
WHISPERING WATERS caught the eye when fourth over further at Newcastle.
She travelled nicely but folded late on, so the combination of a drop in trip and first-time blinkers can see her go well.
Timassini was put up 8lb for his victory in the mud at Ffos Las earlier this month.
That is potentially a little harsh but he still has a good chance, as does the lightly-raced Be Thankful under Richard Johnson.
A low-key end to the card with just four runners.
But it represents a great opportunity for RED ROOKIE to keep his winning run going.
He opened his account on Rules debut in pleasing fashion at Exeter and the runner-up has won since.
He gets the nod ahead of Unohu, though market support for Hometown Hero should be taken seriously.
