Global can Power to Midlands Grand National glory

The big betting race of the day is the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter (3.50), and Global Power looks to hold leading claims of landing the spoils in the stamina sapping 4m 1f contest.

Trained by Oliver Sherwood, the nine-year-old is a dour stayer who has a progressive profile and has been in good form this season.

Global Power ran well on reappearance at Carlisle when looking in need of the run after 364 days on the sidelines and and keeping on nicely to be beaten seven lengths by Ballyoliver without being unduly knocked about.

The son of Subtle Power duly built on that effort next time up at Fontwell when going down by just a neck to Theatrical Star, with the pair pulling 29 lengths clear of the third home Fruity Rooney who is a useful yardstick.

Global Power then disappointed when sent off the 4/1 favourite and pulled-up in the West Wales National at Ffos Las, but conditions that day were nearly unraceable and only two finished.

That effort was easily be excused, and Global Power quickly bounced back last time out at Ludlow when landing a 3m contest in terrific style.

The gelding jumped well throughout and drew clear from the second last to win easing down by four lengths from Five Star Wilsham.

Although now 9lb higher in the weights, Global Power looks the type who has more to offer and this test looks tailor-made for him.

Catching Star is the obvious danger, coming into the contest seeking a hat-trick and is the mount of AP McCoy.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding is progressing at a rate of knots and won hard-held by nine lengths when landing the Devon National at Exeter last time out.

That win suggested the seven-year-old was on a serious upward cruve and miles ahead of the assessor, and Catching Star is able to race under just a 6lb penalty.