A COLOURFUL FINISH TO THE MIDLANDS NATIONAL

What a week of racing and we still have the Midlands National and the Irish Lincolnshire this weekend. Yes, the flat turf season is starting back on Sunday which means good weather is on the way thankfully.

The Irish dominated the Cheltenham Festival as the big owners buy and keep their horses in Ireland. The prize money is a major problem in the UK (just look at Kempton today). Horses are expensive to buy and keep in training so in my opinion the risk - reward ration needs improving in the UK. Anyways, the good thing is the Midlands National has a proper good pot of £67,524 to the winner so credit and well done to Uttoxeter. A maximum field of 20 runners go to post.

Screaming Colours has been in great form over staying trips this season with figures of 1222. He is not straight forward and needs to be ridden patiently to come late. Hopefully, he can hang onto the coat tails of the main field as there is not doubt this horse will relish going out in trip another six furlongs. Since winning in November, Screaming Colours has progressed with each run despite the handicapper upping him all the time in the ratings. Today, he races from a mark of 133 which is just 2lbs above his Irish mark. The Big Dog was well handicapped in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown yet was all out to hold Screaming Colours over 3m4f on heavy ground. William Durkan must fancy his chances to travel over this horse from a small Irish yard. Screaming Colours has a feather weight of 10-2 and is blessed with stamina.

Uttoxeter - 3:35

1 Point Each Way Screaming Colours 11/2 Skybet paying 7 places.

Compare Odds at Uttoxeter 15:35 Betting Odds Winner | Horse Racing | Oddschecker