Midlands National goes Regal Flow's way Regal Flow put up an admirable performance when ploughing through attritional conditions at Uttoxeter to take the honours in the Betfred Midlands Grand National. The 11-year-old was produced by trainer Bob Buckler as a fresh horse for this four-and-a-quarter-mile slog, just five days after winning over an extended three and a half miles at Taunton on Monday for which he had to carry a 5lb penalty. Regal Flow was patiently ridden by 5lb claimer Sean Houlihan as The Artful Cobbler and Russe Blanc made the early running before Milansbar took the race by the throat with well over a circuit of the course to cover. Milansbar made a brave attempt to go one better than in 2016, but he could not live with Regal Flow over the last three fences as the 16-1 shot steadily pulled clear to score by 10 lengths. Ballymalin nabbed third spot by half a length from top-weight Silsol, but four and a half lengths behind Milansbar. Buckler said: "He's a lovely horse. He came back after Monday and we had to confirm for this meeting before then. "We did it on the off chance if something went wrong or Taunton was abandoned. "Monday night when I got home, he came off the lorry and was as perky and chirpy as could be. "I rang Heather (Dunn, owner) that night and said I was certainly going to think about Saturday. "Tuesday was the one nice day we had this week, so we turned him out in the field. He bucked and barged all over the place and I thought 'you're feeling very well mate'. "I rang Heather up and said 'we've got to go for it' and it paid off. "You always have a bit of self misbelief coming up to the races, thinking 'am I being too greedy and running him too quick'. "I told Sean if he wasn't happy to look after him. "We were aiming for the Challenger Series at Haydock in a fortnight. That was the next plan. We'll have to see what the handicapper does on Tuesday."
