The nine-year-old, one of the most improved horses in training this season, ran a cracker to be a staying-on fifth behind Long Run in last week’s stunning Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, having won his three previous outings this term at the Prestbury track. Prominent throughout the first half of the contest, the son of Midnight Legend lost his pitch after 5 out and for a while looked as though he might tail-off, but he rallied bravely from the third last and was keeping on well again up the Cheltenham hill to come home fifth, beaten 19 lengths, in a race that was run in course record time and is already regarded as one of the greatest of the modern era.
Stamina for a race such at the Aintree marathon would appear no problem for the Lady Clarke-owned gelding and the Grand National betting odds reflected this. But after giving the matter plenty of thought connections have decided to wait until next year to go for the Grand National and to concentrate this term on the Grade 1 contest where they could potentially be up against the mighty Long Run once again.
Midnight Chase, who had been on offer at up to 33/1 for the big race, is reported to have recovered quickly from his exertions and the horse racing odds suggest he should go well in the Totesport Bowl.
Mulholland’s reasoning in waiting another 12 months to bid for the ‘world’s greatest steeplechase’ is that his charge is only a second season chaser and he believes that another season’s experience will stand Midnight Chase in excellent stead to put up a very big performance next year.
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