The pick of the prices in the Midlands Grand National....

Friday, 17th March 2023

The pick of the prices in the Midlands Grand National….

TRUCKERS LODGE at 20s is a nice each-way bet for tomorrow’s Midland Grand National at Uttoxeter (3.00)….

He won the race as an 8yo in 2020 – off a mark of 141….

He finished 7/20 in 2021 – beaten less than 8 lengths off 153….

Last year – as a 10yo – he ran off 149….

Ahead of last year’s race Paul Nicholls expressed himself hopeful of a big run….

It didn’t materialise….

Of course, Truckers Lodge is 11 this time around – and he won’t be improving. That much is for sure….

…. but he’s tumbled down the ratings to a mark of 135 and….

…. unless he’s regressed considerably in the last 12 months….

…. a mark of 135 surely gives him a big chance this year if Nicholls was making positive noises last year when he was rated 149….

…. and he’s twice last year’s SP this time around….

In his three races to date this term, Freddie Gingell rode Truckers Lodge – claiming 10lb, 7lb & 7lb….

He improved for each run on the RPR scale – and dropped a handy 10lb on the official scale whilst going about it….

Now – with the horse back on a rating he hasn’t run off in five years – Bryony Frost takes over riding duties….

She’s never ridden the horse out on the track before. But it surely has some significance that this is the day the claimer comes off….

…. Nicholls won’t be putting her up to reduce the horse’s chance….

…. and perhaps Frost can get the sort of tune out of Truckers Lodge that she used to get out of Yala Enki….

They have similarities. Like Yala Enki, Truckers Lodge stays all day. He’s also handy at the weights tomorrow – and I don’t think he’ll mind the ground….

• The last word….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back next week….

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd