ENTRIES for Staffordshire's highlight of the horse racing year – the John Smith's Midlands Grand National – have been announced.

French horse Mon Mome, which finished 10th in last year's Grand National at Aintree, makes the cut. Last year's runner-up Badgerlaw is also back in the running. And Uttoxeter racecourse manager David MacDonald believes the second-placed horse from 2008 will again be challenging.

"We all really fancied Jessica Harrington's Badgerlaw which was looking great last year before being beaten into second," said MacDonald. "It (Badgerlaw) is racing again tomorrow and that has to be the one to watch. Always Waining and Paul Nicholl's Officier De Reserve will be well backed, as will Andrew Flintoff's horse Flintoff and there will be a strong Irish contingent."

The general manager, above, says the track is looking in tip-top condition for tomorrow's big event. He added: "The ground staff have worked really hard, the course is looking excellent and we are expecting a cracking race."

Racing starts at 2.05pm with the main event set for 3.10pm.

For admission prices visit www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk

See also page seven.