The Midlands Grand National began in 1969, some 130 years after the National at Aintree though it is steeped in its own history.

What we love about this race is that it’s run over the same distance as next month’s jumping jamboree, 4 miles and 2 furlongs, which is longer than other ‘Nationals’ making it a real stayer’s race. That said, Uttoxeter suits those who are a little quicker between fences which we’ve kept in mind.

Formerly a Listed race and now a Premier Handicap, there’s a nice prize fund of £150,000 for the Midlands National which beats some of the races run at the festival this week.

We have 12 runners this time around on heavy ground, taking on 25 fences while looking to emulate the likes of Synchronised and Truckers Lodge to put themselves in the Grand National picture. After narrowing the field down, these are the top six as we see it.

Main Contenders

Autonomous Cloud 

Fergal O’Brien has dealt with some heartbreak this week and he’ll be hoping for better when watching eight-year-old Autonomous Cloud take on this race.

Placed first or second in all five chase starts before pulling up last time, his form overall is excellent and he looks to be some way ahead of the handicapper.

Though he didn’t see out the Welsh Grand National, that was some time ago now and he will have not only recovered, but likely improved.

He has won twice around Uttoxeter already at beyond three miles, once on heavy ground and once when taking care of Iron Bridge (see below) so his form also has substance.

Farceur Du Large 

Jamie Snowden’s nine-year-old comes into this race on a hat-trick having won twice at Sandown on soft ground over three miles. He stays well, but this is still a different test with Gavin Sheehan now taking over in the saddle.

Guetapan Collonges

Guetapan Collonges, representing JP McManus, was very well fancied for this race last year and in fact ended up going off favourite. He ran well enough, but was ultimately some 24 lengths behind the winner in fourth which is a fair gap to recover.

He’s been back in form since then, placing in all three starts since including in the Classic Chase, but it may well be that despite his talent the 4¼ mile trip on heavy ground could stretch him out.

Iron Bridge 

We will always take a second look when a stayer carries the famous old colours of Trevor Hemmings, as the team still appear to know exactly what it takes to win races like this with the Grand National always being the ultimate aim.

Iron Bridge wears those colours now and he could be a potential improver at this extreme trip. He was beaten behind Autonomous Cloud in novice company this time last year around Uttoxeter but since then he’s been second in the Welsh National and third in the Grand National Trial. An obvious type.

Mr Incredible

We will never have anything but full respect for a Willie Mullins horse coming to England, but what has been proven in the past is that in level-weights races his Grade 1 types can run rings around the others, but it’s a very different matter when having a top weight in a handicap.

This horse has been unreliable in the past, but that’s not what puts us off him. His form to date doesn’t allow him to carry 10lbs more than anything else and still win, though we acknowledge that he hasn’t been seen over a fence since the Grand National.

He could have improved, but if you’re taking favourite odds about him you’re taking a chance.

My Silver Lining 

Emma Lavelle’s My Silver Lining has a similar chance to so many in this competitive race but her price also reflects that at around 6/1.

A lovely race mare, she was second in the Grand National Trial at Haydock recently and we reckon she’ll handle the ground and trip well enough, though we’d like her to look a little better handicapped.

Summary

This is a very tight handicap, with our ratings mirroring the betting for the most part in as much as this is a close one. At least, that’s the case with most contenders although there is potential improvement in the likes of Iron Bridge. There was one standout, however.

We still haven’t seen Fergal O’Brien take the Cheltenham Festival by storm, but we understand how good he is and his AUTONOMOUS CLOUD could provide the team with a very good end to the week. Paddy Brennan is once again on board.