Petite has Power for 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 this season.

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 wide-margin 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 Ladbroke 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 ever-present during this season’s admirable exploits to date.

Messire Des Obeaux made a satisfactory return from more than 1,000 days off the track at Huntingdon recently and is worth a second look in the Burton UnionHandicap Hurdle.

He ran well for a long way on his comeback, before a lack of match practice just probably told as he slipped back to fourth.

The eight-year-old won the Challow as a novice and was placed at both Cheltenham and Aintree the following spring, so he clearly has plenty of class and should strip fitter for that first run after a long time off.

Boldmere can get back on track in the 1834 Novices’ Handicap Chase, after crashing out with a Grade Two at his mercy on his latest start.

Winner of his previous two races, he was sent off favourite for the Towton at Wetherby and came to the last three lengths clear and travelling well, only to fall.