17 runners have been declared for the £160,000 Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Saturday including Emmet Mullins’ J’Arrive De L’Est who is bidding to land a first win in this race for his shrewd Irish yard.
The 7-year-old’s form took a boost on Wednesday when his Cheltenham Cross Country conqueror Final Orders won at the Festival. Irish trainers have won six renewals of this contest since 2000, most recently with Screaming Colours in 2022.
The consistent Aworkinprogress has only tasted defeat once in seven chase starts, and has seemingly been kept fresh for this race since he returned to winning form at Lingfield in January over 3m5f. His owner JP McManus won this with Time To Get Up in 2021.
Dan Skelton’s Deafening Silence has run consistently well without winning in big staying handicap chases this season. This is one of few big Saturday handicaps his yard is yet to win, and this 9-year-old is still relatively lightly-raced for a horse of his age.
Not since 1994 has a 10-year-old landed the Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National. Git Maker posted a much more encouraging effort when fifth at Haydock last time, while My Immortal was impressive in securing a first career win in four years by five-lengths at Punchestown.
Top-weight Rock My Way has to shoulder 12st in this for the Tizzard family, who have never won the Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National. He has struggled since being raised 9lb by the handicapper for his comprehensive win at Ascot in November.
Paul Nicholls won this with Truckers Lodge in 2020 and his Isaac Des Obeaux has not finished out of the first three in any of his previous five starts. If he is in the same form as when he posted a first chase success on his penultimate start then he should be there or thereabouts.
Jupiter Allen’s bloodless Wincanton victory was a career-best last time, and he must be respected as he bids to become the first 7-year-old since Synchronised in 2010 to win this.
Neo King ran a fine race in the Grand National Trial at Haydock Park to stay on into third and he should relish every inch of this 4m2f trip. Grand Albert is closely matched with Neo King, Git Maker and Deafening Silence after he finished 6th in that same race last month.
Latest Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National Betting: J’Arrive De L’Est 7/2f, Aworkinprogress 7/1, Deafening Silence 8/1, Git Maker 9/1, Isaac Des Obeaux 12/1, Jupiter Allen 12/1, BAR 14/1
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About Uttoxeter Racecourse
Uttoxeter Racecourse is firmly established as one of the leading National Hunt tracks in the Midlands, offering quality racing, as well as fun events throughout the year. Set in 110 acres of Staffordshire countryside, located between Stoke-on-Trent and Derby, the racecourse is also available for private hire.
For further information please contact:
Sam Cone, Arena Racing Company on 07920 404296 or SCone@arenaracingcompany.co.uk
