TRYING to work out how long a horse will take to recover from a brave effort over a marathon type distance has never been easy.

On Saturday, for example, gallant Eider Chase runner-up West Of The Edge was made an 8/1 chance to go one better in the Listed Betfred Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. He was never sighted from start to finish and it seems the three-week gap was nowhere near long enough. In contrast, the comfortable winner Regal Flow (16/1) was turned out only five days after winning over an extended three and a half miles at Taunton.

Raised 7lbs for that effort but with good young claimer Sean Houlihan in the saddle once again, he beat Uttoxeter regular Milansbar by 10 lengths, running on strongly at the end of four and a quarter miles. Thus, in five days he galloped nearly eight miles, apparently enjoying the heavy ground every yard of the way.

Only half of the 18-strong field completed the course. They were led in the early stages by the in-form The Artful Cobbler, but he was headed by Milansbar after the tenth, the latter moving freely in the lead as he tried to improve on his second to Firebird Flyer in this race two years ago.

He did nothing wrong but Houlihan brought Regal Flow alongside three out and soon went on, opening up a winning lead in relentless fashion. Milansbar kept on gamely and held on to second ahead of Ballymalin with Silsol and Bryony Frost back in fourth – a fine achievement under 11st 9lb.

Regal Flow, at the age of 11, became the first winner in double figures since 1995. He loved the ground and returned to something like his best, bearing in mind he was rated 20lbs lower than last week’s mark of 135 – including a 6lb penalty – a year ago.

He is trained by Bob Buckler at Courtway in Somerset and the initial plan was to sidestep the task but the Taunton victory looked remarkably straightforward.

“He’d eaten up well on Monday night and by Wednesday he was bouncing so we decided to come on here,” Buckler said. “It was one of the better decisions I’ve made and if he comes out of this race in good order he could still run again this season.”

The trainer specialises in this type of animal and Irish racegoers will remember he won the Irish Grand National with Niche Market in 2009.

“We’ve won the Irish and the Midlands and it would be nice if we could win the big one at Aintree one day, but for now let’s just enjoy this,” he said with a smile.

good value

Houlihan, who hails from Waterford, is very good value for his 5lb claim and has recently been seen just failing to gain a place on the rank outsider Man Of Plenty in three valuable handicap hurdles. He has winning experience in point-to points and is currently in his first season as a conditional with Philip Hobbs.

“He wasn’t too tired after Taunton – it was just like a piece of work!” he said, laughing.

“Bob’s done a brilliant job, keeping him fresh and sweet. He’s a genuine little thing and it’s great for the owner-breeder Mrs Dunn and her husband Chris. I’d also like to thank my coach Rodi Greene, who’s been very good to me this season. It’s brilliant.”

On the supporting card, tough hurdler Clyne returned to form in a two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle. It may be worth keeping an eye on trainer Evan Williams (King’s Odyssey a good third at the festival) at Aintree because the horses are gradually coming back after a very lean winter.