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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Chris Wright

Horse Power: Time To Get Up can win the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter again

Uttoxeter (Geopolitical Entity) Grand National Midlands

After the high of the Cheltenham Festival TIME TO GET UP can win the Listed Boulton Group Midlands Grand National (An Open Handicap Chase) (3.35pm) for a second successive season at Uttoxeter on Saturday afternoon.

The feature at the Midlands venue is the first of four Grand Nationals over the next month.

The big one, the Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse is in four weeks – with this year’s Scottish version coming for once the week before at Ayr and the Irish equivalent the week after in its traditional slot of Easter Monday (April 18).

While the Midlands version is one of the lesser Nationals, it still takes some winning and there has never been a dual winner. But Jonjo O’Neill’s 2021 hero Time To Get Up has shown he has what it takes and off just a 4lb higher handicap mark than last year, he can become the first to seal successive triumphs.

One of the reasons there have been no horses winning a second time is generally the winners go on to contest the Aintree marathon the following year – although no horse has won both races.

Time To Get Up failed to qualify for the Grand National, so he will bid for a bit of his own history at Uttoxeter.

The nine-year-old is a good jumper and dour stayer – ideally suited to this challenge. Although he is up that 4lb in the handicap, he will carry a 1lb less than when winning last year due to the presence of Yala Enki at the head of the weights.

He has run just twice this season, finishing 11th of 13 over the Grand National fences in the Grand Sefton Chase – a race which was much too short for him at 2m4f.

But back up in trip for the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock Park last month, he finished a creditable third to The Galloping Bear and Bristol De Mai, admittedly well behind.

That should have him spot on for this and he can land another victory.

There are a few low-weighted others who could also go well with the Harry Fry-trained Momella; stable-mate Captain Drake – a winner of the Devon Nationat at Exeter last time; and Gwencily Berbas – from the David Pipe stable who have won the Midlands National four times – among them.

Jonjo O’Neill junior partners Time To Get Up and he may already have had winner before on board Harry Whittington’s DOCPICKEDME in the Trinity Create Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.25pm).

The six-year-old Getaway gelding has won twice at Uttoxeter in his last two runs over 2m4f and 3m2f. He can bring up the hat-trick over three miles on Saturday.

Another course and distance winner, the Sue Smith-trained SILVA ECLIPSE, can also triumph again in the Optimum Experience Handicap Hurdle (1.50pm). He has won one and been third – both at Doncaster – on his last two starts and remains in good form.

Paul Nicholls’ RED RISK is another with good course form and won in a similar event to this last month. He can score another victory in the Optimum Pay Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.25pm).

Others who may score at the Midlands venue are the Fergal O’Brien-trained NOTHIN TO ASK in the opener, the White Lion At Weston Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Series Qualifier) (GBB Race) (1.20pm); Cheshire-based trainer Oliver Greenall’s SIMPLY RED in the Platinum Jubilee Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (4.10pm); and THE DUBAI WAY in the 1652 Bar & Restaurant At Weston Handicap Chase (4.45pm).

At Kempton Emma Lavelle’s MANOFTHEMOUNTAIN can win the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (3.15pm).

The nine-year-old has won five chases over the past few seasons, but has yet to score this campaign.

He followed a good second on his seasonal return at Chepstow by finishing a creditable eighth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in November.

He is still 7lb above his last winning handicap mark, but he still remains open to improvement. And following a break, he may return to winning ways.

Neil Mulholland’s BRIEF TIMES can land another victory in the Virgin Bet Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (2.40pm).

The six-year-old has won two of three starts over hurdles at Exeter and Doncaster and wasn’t beaten far when second to Earth Company at Wincanton in December.

He has been given a short break since and he can land a third success over obstacles ahead of Dan Skelton’s Jay Jay Reilly.

Skelton may score with ROCKSTAR RONNIE who can bring up a hat-trick following two victories at Kempton in the Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (2.05pm).

CERTAINLY RED can land the opener at Kempton; the Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Handicap Chase (1.30pm); while others who may score are COOL STONE – from the Alan King stable who triumphed at Cheltenham with Edwardstone in the Arkle Chase on Tuesday – in the Virgin Bet Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Novices’ Championship Hurdle Qualifier) (GBB Race) (3.50pm); and the Philip Hobbs-trained EARTH LORD in the Virgin Bet Fives Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (4.25pm).

At Newcastle Sue Smith’s veteran course and distance winner CRACKING FIND may be able to land another victory in the Ciroc At Blackrose Pubs Handicap Chase (2.33pm); while Merseyside-born trainer Donald McCain’s MINELLA PLUS may strike in the Gordons At Inn Collection Group Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm); and RAFFERTY'S RETURN can take the Tanqueray At Leila Lilys Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (3.43pm).