Midlands Grand National: Beauport impresses in victory at Uttoxeter

Jordan Nailor rode Beauport to an impressive victory in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.

The eight-year-old overtook My Silver Lining in the run-in to win on heavy ground by a length and three-quarters.

The Willie Mullins-trained Mr Incredible (6-1) finished strongly to take second, leaving Emma Lavelle’s My Silver Lining (5-1) in third.

“He means so much to me this horse. He’s given me the best days out ever,” said 25-year-old jockey Nailor.

Beauport, a 18-1 chance trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, has been inconsistent in chases this season.

He narrowly missed out at the London National at Sandown Park over three and a half miles in December, finishing second to Truckers Lodge, but he put in a disappointing performance on his last outing when he was pulled up in the Classic Chase over three miles and five furlongs at Warwick in January.

“He’s a bit of a big, old lump and the bends were a bit tight for him at times,” said Nailor. “He was hanging a bit.

“His jumping’s been a challenge over fences a few times but this time he was actually, very, very good, and that’s what’s won it for him in the end, those last few jumps. He battled the whole way.”

The four-mile two-furlongs Midlands National course at Uttoxeter, three laps of the Staffordshire track, is the second longest race in the country.

It is beaten only by the Grand National at Aintree, which measures just over four and a quarter miles.