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AWORKINPROGRESS has the tools to finish the job in the Jenningsbet Midlands Grand National (3.00) at Uttoxeter today. The Nick Gifford-trained seven-year-old has been a winning machine over fences - he’s won six of his seven starts in the sphere - and is mustard over a distance of ground that has plenty of juice in it.

Having signed off his career over hurdles with a win at Fontwell Park in May 2024, Aworkinprogress racked up a five-timer over the larger obstacles. The going was ‘soft’ or ‘heavy’ when the son of Soldier Of Fortune collected at Stratford, Lingfield Park (three times) and Uttoxeter between October 2024 and November 2025.

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The winning run came to an end at Chepstow 19 days before Christmas but Aworkingprogress resumed normal service in the Surrey National back at Lingfield last time out.

Ridden as this afternoon by James Davies, my preference got the better of a stirring duel with the reopposing Catch Catchfire, the front pair 12 lengths clear of the third horse.
Under the circumstances, a 5lb rise in the weights could have been worse and Aworkinprogress has the ideal conditions to go in again.

The Jenningsbet Novices' Handicap Chase (3.35) is taken to go the way of another son of Solder Of Fortune, AS THE FELLA SAYS.

James Bowen, who celebrated the first Cheltenham Festival winners this week, was on board when Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old broke his duck over fences at the fourth attempt at Newbury 25 days ago.

As The Fella Says justified his status as the 15-8 favourite by powering way from Major Fortune to score by four and three-quarter lengths.

The British Horseracing Authority number-cruncher was never going to take that performance lying down and As The Fella Says is 7lb higher today - but still has more to offer.

Model of consistency JOHN BARBOUR is expected to give another good account of himself in the JenningsBet Handicap Hurdle (2.25).

From 12 visits to the track, Yeats’s son has failed to make the frame just once, gaining the last of his three victories here in the Potteries on New Year’s Eve.

John Barbour found only the back-to-form Fiercely Proud too good over two and a half miles at Ascot next time and a first try over an additional four furlongs should suit the Fergal O’Brien trainee.

Also going up in distance is IT’S TOP in the opening JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap Hurdle (1.50).

Gavin Sheehan’s mount was strong at the finish when making all for a novice hurdle at Carlisle at the beginning of last month and a first try at two and a half miles should unlock further progress as the bottom weight moves into handicaps.

At Kempton Ryan's Rocket is fancied to gain handsome compensation for Christmas calamity in Sunbury by landing the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap Chase (3.18).

Punters sent the Fergal O’Brien-saddled son of Jetaway off the 7-4 favourite for the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase on the second day of the King George VI Chase fixture after the eight-year-old’s comeback score at Newbury in November.

Everything was going to plan until my selection made a mistake at the eighth of the 12 obstacles, and decanted Johnny Burke into the turf. Ryan’s Rocket was going easily at the time, and it’s instructive to not that Thistle Ask, the 10-length winner from a British Horseracing Authority mark of 146, is now rated 160.

For his part, Ryan’s Rocket has been dropped 1lb to 134, a figure that’s well within range as he bids to pocket the £31,218 first prize.

Burke could also be in business aboard TURNDLIGHTSDOWNLOW in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap Hurdle (2.40).

Martin Keighley’s son of Court Cave scored over course and distance in September on his debut in the handicap sphere, following up over Kempton’s two miles and five furlongs three weeks later.

He lost little in subsequent defeats over further at Sandown Park and Wincanton, but coming back in distance - and returning to Sunbury - won’t hurt his chances.

After a fine second to Barlovento here on the King George undercard, TAPLEY and Izzi Ryder are likely to take some pegging back in the Virgin Bet Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2.08).