Willie Mullins will be hoping Mr Incredible can defy a 336-day break in the Midlands Grand National and continue a brilliant week for his yard.
After breaking the 100-winners mark at the Cheltenham Festival, the Closutton handler has turned his attention to one of the longest races of the season at Uttoxeter but last year’s Kim Muir third is lumbered with top weight and concedes 10lbs or more to the rest of the field in Saturday’s 15:00.
The old boy Truckers Lodge landed the spoils in 2020 and bids to retain the crown, Iron Bridge is a leading fancy after a promising third in last month’s Grand National Trial, while Autonomous Cloud and My Silver Lining are also among the leading fancies.
The latest Midlands Grand National odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Midlands Grand National verdict
Timeform: 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.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Midlands Grand National runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Midlands Grand National 2024.
Mr Incredible
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 8 Weight: 12st 0lbs
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.
****
Beauport
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Jordan Nailor Age: 8 Weight: 11st 4lbs
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.
**
Iron Bridge
Trainer: Jonjo O’Neill Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr. Age: 8 Weight: 11st 4lbs
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.
*****
Truckers Lodge
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Freddie Gingell Age: 12 Weight: 11st 3lbs
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).
***
Farceur Du Large
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Gavin Sheehan Age: 9 Weight: 11st 0lbs
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).
***
Autonomous Cloud
Trainer: Fergal O’Brien Jockey: Paddy Brennan Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
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.
****
Guetapan Collonges
Trainer: Charlie Longsdon Jockey: Richie McLernon Age: 8 Weight: 10st 13lbs
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.
***
Ask Me Early
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 10 Weight: 10st 13lbs
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.
***
Inis Orr
Trainer: Lucinda Russell Jockey: Non Runner Age: 7 Weight: 10st 11lbs
NON RUNNER.
My Silver Lining
Trainer: Emma Lavelle Jockey: James Best Age: 8 Weight: 10st 9lbs
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.
****
Young Dev
Trainer: Denis Hogan Jockey: Daniel King Age: 10 Weight: 10st 0lbs
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.
***
Foxboro
Trainer: Robert Walford Jockey: Harry Kimber Age: 9 Weight: 10st 0lbs
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.
*
Gold Clermont
Trainer: Andy Irvine Jockey: Philip Armson Age: 8 Weight: 9st 7lbs
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).
**
Read More
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Matt Chapman’s ITV Racing tips for Saturday at Kempton and Uttoxeter
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