Racing: Chac now ready to attack after weathering storm

CHAC Du Cadran gets the chance to bid for another top prize when he contests today's Betfred Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.

An impressive winner of the North Yorkshire Grand National back in January, the bad weather has prevented him from running since.

Trainer Chris Bealby had earmarked the Eider Chase at Newcastle as the ideal race, but with that meeting also lost to the weather, he has been rerouted to East Staffordshire instead.

"At least we should get to run him ... unless it snows!" said Bealby.

"It's been very frustrating. The Eider looked perfect for him, but we've had to let him down since then and bring him back up gradually. He has schooled well.

"The trip won't be an issue I'd have thought, but there looks to be one or two front runners in there so I'm sure stamina will become an issue at some point.

"Our lad doesn't have to make it if others are intent on doing so.

"As for the dangers, there's last year's winner, Master Overseer, and Carruthers looked back to his best at Ffos Las recently.

"But if our lad runs to his best, I think he has to have a chance."

Oliver Sherwood runs Global Power, but stable jockey Leighton Aspell is not on board as he is out of the handicap.

"We've put young Thomas Garner on board to offset what he is out of the weights, so he's actually well-in now," said Sherwood.

"It's a big gamble running him in a race like this, but life is a gamble.

"I'm convinced he'll get the trip, and as it's an £80k race it's worth finding out. With all due respect to the others, it's not the best £80k race I've ever seen.

"He's in good order and ran an honest race at Chepstow last time out.

"Normally he would want heavy ground, but as he's trying four miles for the first time, soft will be fine."

Phil Kirby is quietly confident that Cool Operator is capable of running a big race.

"The plan was to run him in the Welsh National, but he got a kick the day before so he couldn't run," said Kirby.

"I let him down then and brought him back for the Eider, but that was off so it's not as if he's been on the go all that time.

"He's gone well fresh in the past so it's not a disadvantage.

"He's in good order, I hope he'll stay and he should handle the ground.

"He's well treated and has a little bit of class, he's also racing off a nice weight.

"I could do with winning a better race. It's all right winning small races, but you need to take that next step so fingers crossed."

Evan Williams runs the Irish import One In A Milan and feels he has an each-way chance.

"It looks like he stays," said Williams.

"He certainly showed stamina in Ireland anyway when he ran over hurdles.

"I gave him three quick runs because I half fancied running him in a decent race before the end of the season and it just so happens he got into this.

"He's won on heavy ground and stays very well so he looks the right type.

"He's not a slow horse, but his inexperience might catch him out.

"Over four miles, though, you'd hope he could get into a rhythm."

TODAY'S SELECTIONS

UTTOXETER: 2.05 Emeebee, 2.40 Savant Bleu, 3.15 Ubaltique, 3.50 BRADLEY (NAP), 4.25 Galway Jack, 5.00 See You Jack, 5.30 Deputy Dan.

FFOS LAS: 1.55 Fishing Bridge, 2.30 Abruzzi, 3.05 Overnight Fame, 3.40 Radmores Revenge, 4.15 Politeo, 4.50 Five Out Of Five, 5.25 Oscars Way.

KEMPTON: 2.15 Lordofthehouse 2.50 Malt Master, 3.25 Kaysersberg, 4.00 Kie, 4.35 God's Own, 5.10 Be Definite, 5.40 Bajardo.

LINGFIELD: 1.45 Wordiness, 2.20 Intransigent, 2.55 Maxentius, 3.30 Farraaj, 4.05 Jolaine, 4.40 Dubai Dynamo, 5.15 Buckland.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.50 Dashwood, 6.20 Master Of Disguise, 6.50 Mr Plod, 7.20 Hiddon Coin, 7.50 Jonnie Skull, 8.20 Very First Blade, 8.50 Off The Pulse, 9.20 Blazing Desert.

DOUBLE: Bradley and Intransigent.