17 runners have been declared for the £160,000 Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter Racecourse on Saturday including ante-post favourite Knockanore and hat-trick seeking Mr Vango.
5lb claimer Freddie Mitchell retains the ride on Knockanore after the pair combined to run away with the Eider Chase by a whopping 16-lengths. Despite a 10lb hike for that victory, there could be more to come given the 8yo is relatively unexposed over staying trips.
Everything seems to have clicked for Mr Vango the last twice, with the 9yo posting successive career-best performances to land big staying handicap chases. If Mr Vango is to win he will have to make history and lump 12st to victory which has never been done before in this race.
Another horse aiming to land the hat-trick is Tanganyika who is also bidding to become the first 7yo to win this since Synchronised in 2010. The French import has resurrected his chasing career of late and could find further progress over this marathon trip.
The Lucinda Russell-trained Apple Away must be given respect given her consistent profile and the element of class she possesses but she has managed to find one too good on each of her previous three starts. A Northern yard hasn’t won a renewal of this contest since 2008.
Jonjo O’Neill has won this race before in 2021 with Time To Get Up and his Iron Bridge was sent off 9/2f for this race last year before subsequently being pulled-up. His form has been patchy since and he was pulled-up again last time in the Welsh National behind Val Dancer.
The aforementioned Val Dancer could only manage to finish a distant third in the Grand National Trial at Haydock when last seen, but has
subsequently been dropped 6lbs by the handicapper which could make him competitive once again.
The trio of Irish runners have all stood their ground in the shape of Bodhisattva, Where It All Began and Fortunedefortunata. The latter named runner is the likeliest to feature at the business end of proceedings after his win in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last month on his first start over 3m3f.
Latest Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National Betting: Knockanore 6/1f, Apple Away 10/1, Tanganyika 10/1, Iron Bridge 12/1, Mr Vango 12/1, BAR 16/
