As the dust settles at Cheltenham Festival, the ITV racing cameras switch their attentions to Uttoxeter and the 2025 Midlands Grand National, which is always a competitive betting heat for punters. A decent field of dour stayers will take their chance in the 4m 2f 8y marathon and our man Steve Chambers picks out his 1-2-3 for the event here.
MR VANGO
(Jack Tudor/Sara Bradstock)
A one-and-a-half length winner of the London National at Sandown back in December, Mr Vango followed that win up with an equally impressive success in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock Park. He’s been given another 4lbs rise for that success and will have the burden of top weight, but he’s shown he can excel at these extreme distances and certainly won’t be stopping out in front.
KNOCKANORE
(Freddie Mitchell/Ryan Potter)
A shock 16/1 winner of the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle last time out, Knockanore is attempting to land another big staying prize on Saturday in this event. Ryan Potter’s star stormed to an emphatic 16-length victory over O’Connell that day and if he can repeat that effort then has to be considered a leading contender here. He’s been given a 10lbs rise for that victory, but that is more than fair with the manner he dispatched his rivals and it’s no shock to see him prominent in the betting.
APPLE AWAY
(Derek Fox/Lucinda Russell)
Runner-up in a decent Listed Mares’ Chase at Newbury two starts ago, Apple Away had to settle for second place on her last start when she was beaten by Famous Bridge in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. She’s only been given a 1lb rise for that run, so she could be attractively handicapped off a mark of 139, but she could be one that find this extreme distance a little bit beyond her capabilities.
THE FIELD
Welsh Grand National winner Val Dancer failed to follow up his Cheltenham heroics when finishing third in the abovementioned Grand National Trial at Haydock, so she could be one of those in the handicapper’s grip now. One that continues to improve is the Venetia Williams-trained Tanganyika, who has recorded back-to-back wins at Market Rasen and Carlisle and could be capable of more here. Gary & Josh Moore’s Invincible Nao is another looking for a third win on the bounce here, and sneaks in at the bottom of the weights and has to be respected, while Dan Skelton’s Galia Des Liteaux is one that has been slipping down the weights and was dropped 2lbs following her fifth placed finish at Haydock and could be a contender.
VERDICT
Dan Skelton’s GALIA DES LITEAUX has struggled of late, but she’s been given a real chance by the handicapper here and off a mark of 137 she looks more than capable of getting the better of Knockanore, who can duly beat Mr Vango in what is a wide open renewal.
2025 Midlands Grand National 1-2-3
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.