Take Petite to power on in Midlands National

PETITE POWER can take advantage of his preferred conditions in the Marston’s 61 Deep Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.

Fergal O’Brien’s consistent stayer will be very much at home in ground that is certain to be very testing for the Staffordshire track’s gruelling annual feature.

This extreme test, over four and a quarter miles, appears sure to suit Petite Power better than most because he has rarely finished any previous race, at up to three miles six and a half furlongs, without suggesting a little further would be even better for him.

At 11, the majority of horses might be just about hanging on to the ceiling of their ability or beginning to flag a little. But that is not true of Petite Power, who has been in the form of his life.

He followed victories at Cheltenham and here with a narrow defeat as neck runner-up at Exeter and then excelled himself when third to Grand National contender Kimberlite Candy in Warwick’s Classic Handicap Chase two months ago.

He was behind Captain Chaos, a widemargin winner since at Doncaster, and ahead of The Conditional, who perhaps did not see out the trip and also did not jump as well as when successful at the Cheltenham Festival this week.

Nonetheless, there can be few stronger form lines among staying chasers so far this year, and, because of the presence of Ladbrokes Trophy winner De Rasher Counter this weekend, Petite Power will be carrying only 9st 7lb.

That includes the 7lb allowance of his regular jockey Liam Harrison, an everpresent during this season’s admirable exploits to date.

At Kempton, MCFABULOUS is the pick in the European Breeders Fund Paddy Power “National Hunt” EBF Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

A Grade Two bumper winner last year, McFabulous suffered defeats on his first two hurdles outings before regaining the winning thread in a qualifier for this race at Market Rasen last month. MINELLA TRUMP looks a leading light in the Daily Price Boosts At betuk. com Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at Newcastle. SELECTIONS KEMPTON: 1.00 Fugitives Drift, 1.30 On The Slopes, 2.05 McFabulous, 2.40 Downtown Getaway, 3.15 Legal Eyes, 3.50 On To Victory, 4.25 Speedy Cargo, 5.00 Coquelicot. NEWCASTLE: 2.00 Stainsby Girl, 2.35 Sigurd, 3.10 Oscars Leader, 3.45 Minella Trump, 4.20 Stoney Rover, 4.55 Federici, 5.30 Onward Route.

UTTOXETER: 1.50 Ostuni, 2.25 Looks Like Murt, 3.00 Thomas Macdonagh, 3.35 PETITE POWER (NAP), 4.10 Archie Brown, 4.45 Grand Turina, 5.20 Be Thankful, 5.50 Unohu.

DOUBLE: Petite Power and McFabulous.