Midlands National Day

        Jilaijone Runs at Uttoxeter Today

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival is done and dusted but the good racing continues and today it is the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.  We do not have any runners in the big race itself but we do have two there, Jilaijone and Phantomofthepoints.  Jilaijone runs in the opening race on the card, the 2m3f handicap hurdle.  He carries top weight so we decided to claim off him, Freddie Mitchell rides taking a handy five pounds off his back.  Freddie was on board last time out when he finished fourth at Ascot and gave him a good ride.  That was over 2m7f so he drops back in distance today and he was a course and distance winner on his penultimate start.  There is some decent prize money on offer and it is a competitive 15 runner field.  I see we are about 7/1 third best in the betting and I think he has a good each way chance.  He is very consistent and he will like the ground.

Phantomofthepoints runs in the 2.25pm, 2m7f handicap hurdle and Jack Tudor rides.  Our seven year old has had a very good season bar one below par effort at Exeter last time.  He has crept up the weights because of his runs and we have added cheekpieces this afternoon to try and eek out a little more improvement.  There is over £50,000 for the winner of this race which is why it is so competitive but I don't think we should be as big a price as 28/1 and he might be worth a small each way bet.  

Both our jockey's riding today look to have very good chances in the Midlands National at 3.00pm.  Freddie Mitchell is on board the favourite, Knockanore on whom he won the Eider chase on last time.  Jack Tudor rides Mr Vango on whom he won the Peter Marsh chase at Haydock last time and he is third best in the betting.  My only worry for this one is that the ground will not be soft enough but best of luck to both of them.

There is also a very good jumps card at Kempton this afternoon while the other jumping action comes from Newcastle.  In Ireland they have jumping at Thurles while there are two all-weather action today comes from Southwell and Wolverhampton a bit later on.

We also have two runners at Cothelstone point to point this afternoon.  African Lady runs in the mares maiden with Martin McIntyre riding while Royal Defender runs in the restricted races with Rian Corcoran on board.  I am pleased to report Martin is none the worse for his fall in the Cheltenham Foxhunters yesterday.  He has a great spin round and was still in contention when falling at the third last.  

There are five Premiership football matches this afternoon, there is no lunchtime kick off but the 5.30pm games is Bournemouth at home to Brentford.

It is the final weekend of the Six Nations rugby and all six teams are in action today.  Italy play Ireland at 2.15pm, Wales are at home to England at 4.45pm and France play Scotland this evening at 8pm.