Multiple Betting Tips

There's barely any time to relax on the back of the Cheltenham Festival, as we are now straight into the Midlands National meeting at Uttoxeter this Saturday - live on Sky Sports Racing.

I was lucky enough to call home Mr Vango in last year’s JenningsBet Midlands Grand National (3.00) and this looks a far stronger renewal. The horse that currently heads the market in J’ARRIVE DE L’EST has shortened up since a few firms first priced this race up earlier in the week, but he looks a strong market leader. Emmet Mullins’s chaser came up against Cheltenham Festival winner Final Orders in December and ran well to finish second. His shrewd trainer has made this race the target ever since, so he has to be the choice. I  think the second-favourite Aworkinprogress looks like he ideally needs heavy ground to show his best, but if the rain does arrive he will be a big danger.

The opening 2m 4f handicap hurdle (1.50) at Uttoxeter can go to KASINO DES MOTTES for the Joe Tizzard stable. The six-year-old needs to put a below-par run at Haydock last month behind him, when he barely beat one horse home in a 3m Grade 2. Maybe that level is a bit beyond him for now, but he has a decent chance in handicap company here. Brendan Powell's mount ran well on soft ground at Ascot in January and looks to have every chance in an open-looking race.

The other main jumps card takes place down at Kempton, where there are a couple of interesting handicaps on show. In the 2m 5f handicap hurdle (2.40), DOUBLE POWERFUL gets the vote. Neil Mulholland’s runner is winless since scoring at Cheltenham in November 2024, when racking up a four-timer in the process, but he was a close-up third in this race last season and as has finally been dropped a few pounds by the handicapper. The seven-year-old came right back to his best when finishing second to Iberico Lord in the Lanzarote here in January and that looks like excellent form, as he had the well-handicapped A Pai De Nom behind him that day. The son of Ocavango likes this track, and if his jumping is sound he could be ready to win again.

In the 2m 4½f handicap chase (3.18) at Kempton, I'm selecting CALIFET EN VOL to get the better of Ryan’s Rocket and the rest. Nicky Henderson’s chaser won with a bit in hand over course and distance last month and looks to be an improving type. This track seems to suit him better than Cheltenham, as he is two-from-two at Kempton having also won a novice hurdle here last season. Ryan’s Rocket looks the chief threat despite his mishap here in the Desert Orchid Chase in December, when he unseated Johnny Burke just as he was beginning to get into the race.