Midlands Grand National: Major Dundee comes home at 12-1
- Published
Major Dundee has not raced over four miles since April 2022, when finishing third at the Scottish Grand National at Ayr
Major Dundee built on a third-place finish in last year's Scottish Grand National by claiming victory in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.
Rex Dingle brought home the Alan King-trained 12-1 chance three lengths clear of Tile Tapper in second place.
The winner's stablemate Notachance, at 25-1, was 18 lengths back in third.
"It's great, everything went quite smoothly," Dingle told Sky Sports Racing, wearing the colours of the late Trevor Hemmings, who died in 2021.
"Got into a nice rhythm and he made my job very easy. Very grateful to have the opportunity to ride him, especially in these famous colours as well."
The 11-2 favourite Guetapan Collonges was fourth of the 17 starters over the three-lap, four miles and two furlongs race, with Iwilldoit fifth under top weight.
They lost ground in the final straight as Major Dundee moved through to take up the running.
Dingle's mount then hit the front over the last before holding off Chris Honour's gelding Tile Tapper (11-1) to claim the £64,560 first prize.
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Willie Mullins had two entries for the 52nd running of the Midlands Grand National, but Mr Incredible was withdrawn the day before - and Captain Kangaroo was pulled up.
Warwickshire-based Olly Murphy won the opener with Butch (7-2), Herefordshire trainer Kerry Lee had a winner with Not Sure (100-30) and Cheltenham-based trainers Kim Bailey and Fergal O'Brien both had winners.
O'Brien won with Autonomous Cloud (15-2), to earn jockey AP Heskin his second winner of the day, while Bailey's victory with Trelawne (15-2) in the third race was his first winner since 10 January.