Time To Get Up wins the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter

It was Time To Get Up by name and nature at Uttoxeter as a late charge from the race favourite secured the Marston's 61 Deep Midlands Grand National first prize.

Jonjo O'Neill junior's mount appeared to be short of room at several stages in the 4m 2f contest, but he really found his stride once seeing daylight in the straight.

Mighty Thunder (18-1) led over the final few jumps for Lucinda Russell and Blair Campbell, while he was closed down by the 3-1 favourite.

Only a few strides before the line did Time To Get Up seize the advantage though, prevailing by a length in the end.

Final Nudge (9-1) was third while Screaming Colours (6-1) finished fourth.

O'Neill junior said: "He’s a huge horse. He was obviously in the Kim Muir, but we just thought a big, flat, galloping track would suit him. He’s a pleasure to ride.

“We’re delighted, this wasn’t necessarily the plan, but he won last time and we just thought, as he’d gone up a bit in the weights, that it looked a nice target for him."

Winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill senior also took the 2010 renewal with Synchronised.

He has the favourite for this year's Randox Grand National in the shape of the Trevor Hemmings-owned Cloth Cap.

"Whether he'd (Time To Get Up) have enough pace for the National I'm not sure, but we might go for it next year," O'Neill added.

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