Neil King's decision to supplement Lil Rockerfeller for the Champion Hurdle did not quite pay off on Tuesday, but he is hoping Milansbar can enjoy better fortune in the Betfred Midlands National at Uttoxeter this afternoon.
Lil Rockerfeller had to settle for seventh in the championship event but whereas his addition to the Cheltenham field was a late call, King has had his eye on this four-mile-one-furlong heat for some time with Milansbar.
The nine-year-old only began his chasing career this season and while one win in four starts may not be the most eyecatching record, he has clashed with the likes of Grade One-placed Aubusson and Cheltenham runner Out Sam.
Milansbar finally got his head in front over fences at Exeter last month and with two hurdles triumphs at Uttoxeter to his name, King believes this is an ideal opportunity despite having to shoulder joint-top weight along with David Pipe's Katkeau.
"He's ready to go and we've been very happy with his preparation," said the Wiltshire handler.
"I've always maintained he's a National horse, this is his first National and we're looking forward to it. He's won twice at Uttoxeter and he's a big, strong horse now, so he's well able to carry that weight.
"We would prefer the ground a bit softer, but it is over four and a quarter miles, so hopefully he'll be fine."
Jim Dreaper won the race for Alan and Ann Potts with Goonyella last year and he is out to repeat the trick with Sizing Coal. The eight-year-old was last seen finishing third in a handicap hurdle at Navan in February on what was his first start since last May.
He also finished third in the three-mile-five-furlong Irish Grand National last April but Dreaper admits he is not totally convinced about his stamina for this marathon trip.
He said: "I don't know if he's as sure to stay the four and a quarter miles as we thought 'Goony' was, but we'll see. We also don't know if he'll be as effective on good ground as he is on winter ground, but he's in good form and he 's a good, honest horse."
Fourovakind won the Devon National last time out and trainer Harry Whittington is hoping for testing conditions at Uttoxeter. The 11-year-old was pulled up in the Welsh National in January but bounced back to win over three miles, six and a half furlongs on soft ground at Exeter.
Whittington said: "I'm thrilled with him. He come out of the Devon National really well. He has been in great form ever since.
"I've not done a huge amount with him. I've just freshened him up and I could not be happier with him. For the past month he has probably been training better than anything else in the yard.
"The plan was to go for the Welsh National but that didn't quite work out for various reasons. He usually takes a couple of runs to get him right and he entered the Devon National in really good form, where he ended up putting in a career-best.
"He ran a good race on good to soft in a veterans' chase last year. If it is a bit tacky that will make it hard work, which will be ideal for us, so I should think it will be fine."
Firebird Flyer also lined up in the Welsh National but he enjoyed much better luck at Chepstow as he chased home Mountainous to finish a two-and-three-quarter-length second.
That was the first time he had tackled a trip in excess of three and a half miles and trainer Evan Williams believes his effort on heavy ground that day offers plenty of hope for him seeing out this increased distance.
He said: "I thought he ran a career-best in the Welsh National and he did look to stay very well in what were virtually unraceable conditions. He's up in trip again, but the drying ground might just balance it out a bit.
"The only worry I would have is the Welsh National was a really brutal race. He's had plenty of time to get over that, but it really was as gruelling as it gets. I've never thought he's really ground-dependent. He's just the kind of horse that has improved for having a bit of age on his back."
Shotgun Paddy disappointed in the race last year when he was pulled up. However, he returns to try to redeem himself, with a couple of nice efforts on his recent record.
Fifth behind Sausalito Sunrise at Cheltenham on his seasonal bow, he then finished third in the Welsh National before chasing home Rocking Blues off top weight in the Eider at Newcastle last time.
Trainer Emma Lavelle reports him in good heart and believes a repeat of any of his efforts this term should put him in the shake-up.
She said: "He's certainly covered some miles this season, but he came out of the Eider very well. I sort of feel, after looking at the declarations for Saturday, that while it's another competitive staying handicap, there doesn't appear to be anything that is completely thrown in.
"If he can run his usual game, consistent race, I just feel he has a better chance in this race than he would in the Grand National.
"If there was blazing sunshine and the ground dried up, we might think about not running, but as things stand the plan is to let him take his chance. He's been so consistent all season and I think he deserves to win a big prize."
Spookydooky was a winner at Newbury back in November before having to settle for second at Haydock and fourth behind Sausalito Sunrise at Ascot.
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill said: "He's in good old form and has a sporting chance, but it looks a typically competitive Midlands National."
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