KNOCKANORE rates a worthy favourite for the JenningsBet Midlands Grand National (3.00) at Uttoxeter this afternoon.
The Ryan Potter-trained chaser put together a consistent body of work at between two and a half and three miles this season, including a success over the former trip in the Potteries five days before Christmas.
But Knockanore took a significant step forward from that form when racing at beyond four miles for the first time in the Eider Chase at Newcastle three weeks ago.
Sent into the lead at the 22nd fence of 24 by Freddie Mitchell, my selection galloped further and further clear of his rivals, eventually having 16 lengths to spare over runner-up O'Connell.
Under the circumstances, a 10lb rise in the weights could have been a lot worse for a horse who has plenty more to offer as a grinder, and Knockanore is strongly fancied to follow up.
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