We launch a twin attack on the Midlands Grand National

March 16

It’s my 75th birthday on Saturday, and Alan has, I hope, produced six of the best to pay for the champagne.

Trouble is we are represented at Uttoxeter, Kempton and Wolverhampton, so where do I don the betting boots?

We launch a twin-attack on the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, with Notachance and Major Dundee both solid stayers who look tailor-made for this marathon.

Alan said:”Notachance was a good third in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January, and he probably found Haydock plenty sharp enough when subsequently third there.

“Major Dundee is better going left-handed, so I’d expect him to improve on his last run at Kempton, though if the ground did turn heavy I wouldn’t risk him as we want him peaking for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr next month.”

Alan has always thought the world of Heinwein, who was impressive when winning his bumper at Ffos Las in January. He’ll hopefully follow up at Uttoxeter even though he has a penalty.

Another favourite of Alan’s is the veteran Messire des Obeaux, who reappears in the Virgin Bet Fives Handicap Chase at Kempton.

Alan said:””He has had a series of problems over the years, and the latest hiccup came after he won in pleasing fashion at Warwick last month. He’s only gone up 2lb and a gallop in midweek suggests he is just ready to return.”

Harbour Lake, who opted out of his two entries at Cheltenham, runs instead back at Kempton, where he disappointed in the Lanzarote last time.

Alan added:”You can put a line through that run as I have never seen the ground as bad as it was at Kempton. He’d been progressing well before that and is back in very good form at home now.”

We also run Saxon Lane in the junior bumper on the Sunbury course, but, while Alan thinks he is ready to be launched, he stresses that he is a long way from the finished article and will be a much better horse next season.

Finally, Alan runs one on the Flat at Wolverhampton, and he expects a bold show from Pangloss. He said:”We gave Pangloss a good break at the end of last season and I’m happy how he is working now. He won over this course and distance on the tapeta last spring, so, hopefully, he can do it again.”