IT IS a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Ball, but the racing this afternoon is still very interesting, with the big one being the Betfred Midlands National over a stamina-sapping four miles at Uttoxeter.

Several grizzled old-timers have run in this contest in the past with Milansbar having finished second in the 2016 edition, but I really fancy a huge run from the 14/1 shot Hainan (nap) who has proved that extreme distances are right up his street this season.

Some will say that he didn’t really get home over the four miles of the Eider Chase at Newcastle, but I think he was beaten by a really good horse that day and maybe could have gone for home further out.