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Chieftain fall gifts Firebird Flyer win in Midlands National

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FIREBIRD FLYER

Firebird Flyer (near) picks up the pieces to win the Midlands National

  PICTURE: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)  

 By Lewis Porteous 4:30PM 19 MAR 2016 

Report: Uttoxeter, Saturday

Betfred Midlands Grand National (Listed handicap) 4m1½f, 5yo+

FIREBIRD FLYER was gifted victory in Uttoxeter’s biggest race of the year after Golden Chieftain crashed out at the last with the race at his mercy.

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Just 24-hours after trainer Colin Tizzard watched stable star Cue Card take a heavy fall when bang in contention for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup, he was again dealt a cruel blow as Golden Chieftain failed to take off at the last and paid accordingly.

In contrast, Firebird Flyer, under a patient ride by Adam Wedge, was spring-heeled at the end of the marathon contest and had enough in reserve to hold the rallying Milansbar on the run-in.  

After the heartbreak of watching Cue Card take an ugly fall when challenging for the lead three-out at Cheltenham, Tizzard’s luck seemed to have changed with a double in the supporting races at Uttoxeter but it was short-lived as Golden Chieftain and rider Brendan Powell suffered the same fate as Cue Card with victory in sight.

Strong pace

In a bizarre race, Red Devil Lads set out as if he was contesting the Gold Cup, opening up a 30-length lead over his rivals under Tom O’Brien but inevitably ran out of fuel on the final circuit and had to be pulled up.

Milansbar, under topweight, did most of the donkey work to reel in the pace-setter but to his credit stayed in contention as Mad Brian was the next to stake his claim for glory as rider Robbie Dunne kicked for home.

It proved short lived and Golden Chieftain jumped to the lead two-out and opened up what looked to be an unassailable lead.  

The eventual winner had crept into contention at that stage and was running through for second as the leader came down at the last, leaving Wedge and Firebird Flyer to complete an unlikely win for trainer Evan Williams at 16-1, with Milansbar in second, Cogry third and Spookydooky fourth.

Patient approach

“There had been a bit of trouble all the way round but he’s a good jumper and very sound, and he’s done it well in the end,” said the winning rider.

Wedge added: “They’ve gone a good gallop but it’s fantastic being able to ride for Evan because he knows you just have to sit and bide your time and patience is very good on a horse like this because he just keeps galloping then at the end.”  

The strong pace certainly took its toll, with just five of the 18-strong field finishing the race, with 12 of the runners pulling up.

The winner remains a 40-1 chance with Paddy Power for the Crabbie’s Grand National.

 

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