Midnight set for National service

Midnight Chase will be readied for a tilt at the John Smith’s Grand National following his slightly disappointing performance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 10-year-old is a five-time course winner at Prestbury Park and appeared to have sound place claims for Neil Mulholland after finishing fifth in the blue riband 12 months ago.

But having made mistakes from the front, he weakened into seventh.

His trainer believes the ground played a big part in his poor jumping display.

“He’s come out of the race fine. I think the ground was just too fast for him in places and he didn’t jump,” said Muholland.

“He just never got into that rhythm that he can do, which was a bit frustrating, but these things happen and we move on.

“We’ll look at the National for him now. We’ll leave him in and the owners are happy to go that way, which is great.

“He schooled over National fences last year and jumped them well, so hopefully there’ll be no worries on that score.

“He stays, he jumps and he has a touch of class, so he looks to have everything you need anyway.

“We don’t want the ground too fast or too soft – just nice jumping ground would be great.”