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It may have not been the most fruitful Cheltenham Festival for Paul Nicholls, but he can nudge nearer to a 13th trainers title should Truckers Lodge rumble to victory in the Boulton Group Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
The 10-year-old took the four-and-a-quarter-mile Listed handicap in 2020 off an 8lb lower mark and was seventh in the race last season, conceding 12lb to Time To Get Up, who bids for a repeat.
The Jonjo O'Neill-trained winner had seven and a half lengths to spare over Truckers Lodge last season and receives just 7lb from his classy rival this time.
Lorcan Williams' mount has run some fine races already this term, including a fair third in the Welsh Grand National before being beaten a length and a half in the three-mile Listed Swinley Chase at Ascot.
On a fascinating eight-race card, Nicholls could also strike with Red Risk in the two-and-a-half-mile Optimum Pay Handicap Chase.
Bryony Frost's mount has faced some stiff tasks this term, but dropped in class after the handicapper relented, the seven-year-old scored readily over course and distance last time.
Though up 11lb for that success, his latest victory would have done his confidence the power of good and he may still have improvement in him.
At Kempton, Rockstar Ronnie hits all the right notes in the Virgin Bet Free Bets For Winners Novices' Limited Handicap Chase.
Dan Skelton's representative bids for a Kempton hat-trick, albeit going back to two miles, having scored twice over a couple of furlongs further, and the drying ground will suit him more than some others.
Manofthemountain can scale the heights in the Virgin Bet Handicap Chase for Emma Lavelle.
Runner-up in this race when a class three event last year, the nine-year-old has found improvement and took a Grade Two contest at Cheltenham last April.
Not seen since being beaten just under six lengths in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, the lightly-raced gelding, who has a great strike-rate of five wins from 11 over fences, comes here fresh and should run a big race.
Rose Sea Has looks to have been found a good opportunity by Dr Richard Newland in the Fontwell Remembers The Newsman Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old has not been easy to win with over fences and has finished runner-up four times in his last six, yet his run behind Yggdrasil at Hereford last time was a fair effort and he could gain just reward in a weak race.
Broken Halo may have a little too much class for his two rivals over the extended two miles and five furlongs of the Cazoo Novices' Chase.
Having won a similar event at Exeter by 19 lengths in January, he burst a blood vessel when favourite for a better race at Lingfield just 20 days later and has been given time to get over that.
This is a much easier, confidence-building test and the drop back in trip should be ideal for Nicholls' representative.
At Newcastle, Voix De Reve can concede upwards of 7lb to his three rivals in the Gordons At Inn Collection Group Handicap Hurdle.
Fifth in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso last time, Iain Jardine's 10-year-old takes a class drop and the assessor drops him another 3lb, which should go some way to helping him end a long losing run. Tom Midgley takes off a valuable 5lb and it could be crucial to earning a fifth success over hurdles.
Ryan Potter has not lost faith in Tolworth Hurdle runner-up Jetoile, despite finishing last of 14 in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury last time.
The seven-year-old had previously chased home Constitution Hill in heavy ground at Sandown and was well supported after that 12-length defeat in the Grade One contest.
Yet the ground was too quick for him at Newbury and he should be able to take the Tanqueray At Leila Lily's Novices' Handicap Hurdle, even though the handicapper has kept him on a mark of 133.
Acrion can follow up his Lingfield success for Brian Meehan in the six-furlong Betway Novice Stakes, the third on an eight-race evening card at Wolverhampton.
He rallied well and looked better the further he went on his seasonal bow, and Thomas Greatrex's claim will help negate some of his penalty.
Beaten favourite at Chelmsford last time, Nankeen can make amends for Simon and Ed Crisford in the extended nine-furlong Betway Handicap.
He won here over an extended mile in December after a seven-month break and did not get a clear run last time over a shorter trip.
SELECTIONS:
FONTWELL: 1.00 Garincha, 1.35 Deeper Blue, 2.11 Concrete King, 2.46 BROKEN HALO (NAP), 3.21 Aggagio, 3.56 Rose Sea Has, 4.31 Game Socks.
KEMPTON: 1.30 Ebony Gale, 2.05 Rockstar Ronnie, 2.40 Solo, 3.15 Manofthemountain, 3.50 Cool Stone, 4.25 Balkeo, 5.00 Peace Of Rome.
NEWCASTLE: 1.58 Rock Legend, 2.33 Barden Bella, 3.10 Voix Du Reve, 3.43 Jetoile, 4.18 Rapid Raider, 4.50 Curramore, 5.25 Hidalgo De L'Isle.
THURLES: 2.20 Bacardys, 2.52 Ciel De Neige, 3.27 Western Sea, 4.02 Micro Manage, 4.37 Gentlemansgame, 5.10 Difficult Decision, 5.45 Stuzzikini.
UTTOXETER: 1.20 Del La Mar Rocket, 1.50 Sidi Ismael, 2.25 Gustavian, 3.00 Red Risk, 3.35 Truckers Lodge, 4.10 Gaot, 4.45 Honorary Colonel, 5.18 Kracka Nut.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 4.55 Parikarma, 5.30 Amalfi Salsa, 6.00 Acrion, 6.30 May Sonic, 7.00 Nankeen, 7.30 Night Narcissus, 8.00 Headora, 8.30 Vocatus.
DOUBLE: Broken Halo and Jetoile.
