Events / Andrew Hughes / 14 March 2009 /

Ignore that anticlimactic post-Cheltenham feeling and get stuck into the Midlands National card at Uttoxeter.

Got your breath back yet? After four days of hell-for-leather action and champagne performances (or Guinness performances, depending on your preference) you might even be contemplating the drastic step of taking a break from racing this Saturday. Well think again. It may not quite have the razzmatazz of the Festival, but Uttoxeter's Saturday card is good honest jumping fare, well worth tucking into. Here's the Betfair guide to the pick of the action from the Midland's finest jumping venue.

2:35 - John Smith's Hucknall Constitutional Club Handicap Hurdle

A down to earth and thoroughly competitive handicap to get your teeth into. Run over two miles six-and-a-half furlongs, this is a wide open contest with a number of serious contenders including Victoria's Groom who was an impressive winner at Lingfield last time out, but must carry top weight; the progressive Nick Williams five year old Sangfroid and the enigmatic Bulwark. A decent sized field, though with only one confirmed front runner in Another Brother, a strong pace is not guaranteed.

3:10 - John Smith's Midlands Grand National Handicap Chase

One of a dwindling band of ultra-staying races, this popular Listed event offers an opportunity for those horses laden with stamina but just short of Graded class to show what they are made of. Run over four miles, one and a half furlongs, it is an almighty test of resilience, even if the going this year is soft rather than bottomless and it is worth noting that on similar ground last year, only seven of the eighteen runners finished the race. According to the market, it is an open contest with Jessica Harrington's Badgerlaw who finished second here last year the current favourite at [8.0] Hold The Pin sneaked in at the bottom of the weights and having gone well in a couple of Irish staying hurdles this year, is available at [8.8]

3:40 - JC Acoustics 10 Year Anniversary Novices' Handicap Hurdle

From the marathon to the sprint, with this two mile handicap for novices. This kind of race is often tricky to weigh up, with a clutch of young horses making their handicap debuts and you can cash in if you can find one the handicapper has underestimated. Fiendish Flame ran well here last month in winning a novice event over further and his trainer D McCain saddled the winner of this last year.

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