Wow. What a week. Cheltenham has just delivered some great performances and memories that will live long in my mind. It was a scintillating four days but the roadshow moves on to the traditional Midlands Grand National meeting at Uttoxeter with plenty of competitive racing to focus on.
After Saturday, it’ll be time for a long lie down in a dark room.
2.25 UTTOXETER – COLLECTOR’S ITEM
COLLECTORS ITEM was balloted out of the Albert Bartlett at declaration stage but according to his jockey Jonjo O’Neill Jr., that may a blessing in disguise. A mark off 132 over three miles on soft ground could be suitable for this unexposed sort who was unlucky to come off second best at Haydock last time, a race in which the winning jockey incurred a lengthy ban.
Two last time out winners, Lord Snootie and Trelawne follow in the market, but they hail from stables who are on the cold list right now.
2.40 KEMPTON – COMPLETE UNKNOWN
COMPLETE UNKNOWN was a decent hurdler who won the EBF final at Sandown twelve months ago. his future always lay over fences and after winning a warm novice handicap at Ffos Las on debut, he was put in his pace by Galia Des Liteaux at Warwick in the G2 Hampton Novice Chase. He had the Ultima 4th back in third and is 7lb lower than him here. he could have a favourable mark to exploit and Paul Nicholls looks to have found a decent opportunity for him here. back down in trip on better ground can see him back to wining ways before a tilt at a decent pot before the season is out. Galahad Quest was an impressive winner at Warwick despite an early mistake. He has gone up 7lb for that but it is still a competitive mark and still 2lb lower than when fifth in a deeper race than this at the track last February. He’s the danger.
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3.00 UTTOXETER – MAJOR DUNDEE
The Midlands Grand National is the second longest race on the calendar behind the Aintree version next month. Obviously, it takes some getting and only the brave need apply.
The Galloping Bear lives up to his name, having won the Grand National Trial at Haydock last year and ran a gallant second in the Eider. That last run was only three weeks ago so it’s a tough ask to back it up so soon.
Time To Get Up (13lb lower) and Truckers Lodge (6lb lower) are previous winners of this race but haven’t shown much form this season.
Guetapan Collonges has a favourites chance as a recent course winner while Revels Hill has always looked like a stamina test will suit.
I’m going to take a chance on MAJOR DUNDEE at a decent price for Alan King. It hasn’t been the week he wanted, but it could end on a high. He was third in the Scottish Grand National as a novice last season and is 3lb lower after two below par runs this season. Back to a stamina test could suit on ground with some cut in it and he rates decent each way play at a price.
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