15:00 Uttoxeter

Saturday 16 March 2024

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 9m 44.94s

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Selected odds by:

Mr Incredible³³⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: B Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 150

6/1

Has his quirks (has refused to race) but also a ton of ability, placed in valuable staying handicap chases at Warwick/Cheltenham last season. Not seen since unseating rider in Grand National 11 months ago but will stay and has it in him to run a huge race.

Form: RP/B23U-

Beauport⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jordan Nailor| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 140| C

18/1

Progressive over hurdles and made a winning chase debut at Carlisle on return last season. Largely underwhelming since, however, pulled up in Classic Chase at Warwick latest.

Form: 49F-52P

Iron Bridge²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 140

9/2

Bumper/dual hurdle winner who quickly developed into a smart chaser last season. All the better for return when best of the rest behind Nassalam in Welsh National at Chepstow over Christmas before excellent third in Grand National Trial at Haydock since. Much respected.

Form: 122-P23

Truckers Lodge^b⁸⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 11-3| J: Freddie Gingell⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 139| CD

22/1

Veteran who won this as a novice 4 years ago off 2 lb higher. Proved he retains plenty of ability when winning London National at Sandown in December. Might have found Welsh National coming too soon but this probably too competitive for him nowadays (no better than 6th in last 3 renewals).

Form: 581-B1P

Farceur Du Large³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 136

11/1

Useful at his best in Ireland. Lost his way a little over there but showed he retains all his ability when winning both starts for his new stable at Sandown (for Military amateur jockeys). Stamina is the big question mark (unproven beyond 3m).

Form: UP-P811

Autonomous Cloud^t1⁸⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: P J Brennan| T: F O'Brien| OR: 135| BF| C

11/2

Progressive chaser who landed back-to-back 3m handicaps here 8 months apart, including on return. Said to have bled when pulled up in Welsh National (sent off favourite) at Chepstow in December. No surprise to see him bounce back after a break. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 2221-1P

Guetapan Collonges^t1⁶³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-13| J: R P McLernon| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 135| C

15/2

Developed into a useful staying handicap chaser last season and resumed progress when winning at Carlisle on return. Has continued in good heart, placed in Premier handicaps at Cheltenham and Warwick. However, didn't stay so thoroughly as some when fourth in this last year. Tongue strap on 1st time.

Form: 414-133

Ask Me Early^p,t³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-13| J: J J Burke| T: H Fry| OR: 135| C

12/1

Temperamental, low-mileage 10-y-o who ran no sort of race when one of the market leaders in last season's Welsh National at Chepstow. Back to form in first-time headgear when winning veterans event at Exeter 5 weeks ago but will find this much more demanding.

Form: 3P6P-91

My Silver Lining²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: James Best| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 131

5/1

Progressive mare who relished the increased test of stamina when bagging her fourth chase win in the Classic Chase at Warwick (29f, soft), digging deep. Excellent second in Grand National Trial at Haydock since (6 lengths ahead of Iron Bridge but 4 lb worse off here) and solid claims.

Form: 1-12212

Young Dev^p⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Daniel King⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan| OR: 122| BF

15/2

Seemingly not as good as he was and mixed record over fences this season, though did score at Navan (3m, heavy) last month and not disgraced in veterans event at Limerick (22.5f) last week. This marathon test will suit (second in this 2 years ago off 11 lb higher) so each-way player.

Form: 6341U4

Foxboro^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Kimber⁽³⁾| T: R Walford| OR: 122

25/1

Bagged handicap chases at Fontwell and Newbury last season and back to form with a bang when producing a career-best win at Exeter (30.7f, heavy) in December. However, laboured efforts next 2 starts so needs to bounce back.

Form: P-78192

Gold Clermont²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Philip Armson⁽³⁾| T: A Irvine| OR: 115

25/1

Enhanced a good strike rate over fences for current yard with a career-best win at Fontwell (28f) and backed that up with good fourth in the Eider at Newcastle (33.2f, soft) 3 weeks ago, coming from further back than the others in the frame. This looks too tough, however (7 lb out of the weights).

Form: 2-31814

Non-Runners

Inis Oirr⁴²

Weight: 10-11| Age: 7

T: Miss Lucinda V Russell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Inis Oirr (9/2), Iron Bridge (9/2), My Silver Lining (5/1), Autonomous Cloud (11/2), Mr Incredible (6/1), Guetapan Collonges (15/2), Young Dev (15/2), Farceur Du Large (11/1), Ask Me Early (12/1), Beauport (18/1), Truckers Lodge (22/1), Gold Clermont (25/1), Foxboro (25/1)

Traditionally one of the most gruelling races of the season, which will suit IRON BRIDGE, who got tapped for toe at a crucial stage when third in the Grand National Trial at Haydock last month. He can provide his yard with a third win in this race at the main expense of the likeable My Silver Lining, who was 6 lengths ahead of the selection that day but is now 4 lb worse off. Autonomous Cloud completes the shortlist.