Simon Holt has two strong fancies on Saturday including the Paul Nicholls-trained Truckers Lodge in the feature event at Uttoxeter.
When it comes to stamina tests, Saturday's Marston's 61 Deep Midlands Grand National over four-and-a-quarter miles in heavy ground at Uttoxeter will be as tough as they come, but the progressive TRUCKERS LODGE could be up to the task.
The eight-year-old's trainer Paul Nicholls targeted the similarly demanding Welsh Grand National with this horse earlier in the season and nearly pulled it off as Lorcan Williams' mount went under by a length-and-three-quarters to last year's Uttoxeter winner Potters Corner with stable-companion and subsequent winner Yala Enki a close-up third.
Raised just 2lb for that brave effort, it could be that Truckers Lodge has now been set aside for this race nearly three months later and a repeat of his performance at Chepstow could make him hard to beat as he revels in the mud, goes well on left-handed courses and just keeps galloping.
And it will be a surprise if there isn't further improvement to come.
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Top weighted De Rasher Counter is not so sure to stay but won a good three-mile chase here a year ago and his Ladbrokes Trophy victory in November got a nice boost when runner-up The Conditional took Tuesday's Ultima Chase at Cheltenham.
However, one has to think it will need a mighty performance to win this under 11st12lb.
Meanwhile, the out and out slogger Petite Power could be thereabouts as, despite a rise of 16lb in the weights since the start of the season, he was not disgraced when staying on into third behind Grand National contender Kimberlite Candy in the Classic Chase at Warwick last time.
Earlier, SAM'S ADVENTURE can take advantage of a light weight in the 1834 Novices' Handicap Chase.
Brian Ellison's soft ground specialist chased home two progressive chasers in Lord Du Mesnil and Domaine De L'Isle at Newcastle earlier in the season but remains on a highly workable mark.
Disappointing at Ascot in January (didn't look himself beforehand), Sam's Adventure was then given a wind-operation and returned to action with a half length second to On The Blind Side in jumpers bumper again at Newcastle.
Back over fences and in conditions that should prove ideal, Henry Brooke's mount can gain a deserved victory.
Posted at 1720 GMT on 13/03/20
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