TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

15:35 Uttoxeter – Midland’s Grand National

After the amazing week we’ve witnessed at Cheltenham the racing doesn’t stop and Saturday’s feature sees the marathon Midland’s Grand National take centre stage. There’s been some infamous winners in the past and is seen as a huge trial for the Aintree version next month.

Former winner Regal Flow returns to win this race once again but at the age of twelve sadly it seems unlikely although a place wouldn’t be entirely out of the realms of possibility.

Describing a horse as a veteran is a phrase often used but none more so would it be true of Raz De Maree who is defying all known racing knowledge to still be running at the grand old age of fourteen! As with Regal Flow his best days seem well and truly behind him but there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house if this old timer came home victorious.

Irish trainer Gordon Elliott and Irish jockey Davy Russell have had much bigger targets for the week but stay on English soil to saddle and ride Folsom Blue. A very consistent horse who looks likely to finish in the money but it’s safe to say that Team Elliott would have been disappointed with their results this week and it’s tough to side with their runners in the form they’re in at the moment.

I am however going to side with another Irish runner in the form of Kilkishen. Despite a very encouraging 4th placed finish last time out the handicapper has decided to drop his rating and take three pounds off of his back. That seems perhaps a tad generous and gives the John Hanlon trained nine year old a decent chance. A solid horse who always seems to give punters a good run for their money I reckon he can do the same once again here.

Of the remainder of the field you can’t ignore course winner Ms Parfois who is also well fancied for Aintree’s National. Trainer Anthony Honeyball has handled her with kid gloves and after making her return from wind surgery will likely come on for the run in December. A slightly interrupted season can be put behind her with another solid run here at Uttoxeter. The soft ground and marathon trip is going to play into her hands and after Paisley Park’s success two days ago jockey Aiden Coleman will be on cloud nine which will undoubtedly give his mount an extra boost.

MS PARFOIS (E/W)

KILKISHEN (E/W)

ITV Racing:

14:05 Kempton – Timoteo (WIN)

14:25 Uttoxeter – Aintree My Dream (E/W)

14:40 Kempton – Star Of Lanka (E/W)

15:00 Uttoxeter – Lord Napier (E/W)

15:15 Kempton – Brother Tedd (E/W)

15:35 Uttoxeter – Ms Parfois (E/W) Kilkishen (E/W)

15:50 Kempton – The Cashel Man (WIN) NAP