UTTOXETER staged a Saturday programme likely to deflect any post-Cheltenham blues, the highlight being the Marston’s 61 Deep Midlands Grand National.

It produced a surprise result as 20/1 chance Potters Corner outlasted Ms Parfois, the pair pulling 12 length clear of Get On The Yager with Prime Venture next.

The veteran Milansbar took them along on heavy going but was headed by Ms Parfois at the 12th. Well supported at 8/1, the mare kept up the gallop but was marginally headed by Back To The Thatch five fences later.

The winner joined issue three out and it soon became clear that only Ms Parfois was capable of denying Potters Corner and James Bowen a memorable victory. She kept on gamely but he led at the last and steadily drew clear to score by three lengths. It was the biggest success of Glamorgan trainer Christian Williams’ career.

For a nine-year-old Potters Corner has been lightly-raced. He was bound to start at a big price, having fallen the last twice, although he was still there when coming to grief at the second-last in the Eider at Newcastle, having suffered a similar fate at Wincanton.

Those efforts showed he stayed a distance of ground and he also looked happy on the testing surface last week.

“I cannot put into words what a win like this means to a small trainer like me,“ Williams said. “14 months ago I had just four horses and no licence. It’s been a lot of hard work turning everything around but we’ve done it and this horse has done us proud.”

The winner is part-owned by former rugby international Jonathan Davies, who was in Cardiff to see Wales complete their Grand Slam against Ireland.

Only six of the 19-strong field completed but there were pointers for the future. Gordon Elliott’s Folsom Blue (sixth) was well there until the closing stages, while Back To The Thatch, though a faller at the last when tired, did most things pretty easily and would have been a major threat at around three and three-quarter miles. He is only seven and the Welsh National next Christmas may prove ideal.

RASHER MAKIN’ BACON

It was a memorable Cheltenham and one of the most heart-warming moments came when Paisley Park was welcomed back by owner Andrew Gemmell, blind from birth, following his Stayers’ Hurdle triumph. Gemmell is also a member of the Makin’ Bacon Partnership and rounded off the week in style as 4/1 chance De Rasher Counter, also trained by Emma Lavelle, came through late to lead two out in the Brit Plant Direct Novices’ Handicap Chase, going on to beat Late Romantic by six lengths in the hands of Adam Wedge.

A seven-year-old, De Rasher Counter did well under 11st 12lb and should win again. Lavelle commented that Aintree might come too soon but Punchestown at the end of April remains a possibility.

PIPE’S POKER PLAY

It has been a quiet season for David Pipe but he enjoyed a very easy success when Poker Play, virtually ignored at 16/1, led at the fifth in the valuable Marston’s Pedigree Handicap Hurdle and drew right away to beat Bold Plan by nine lengths despite veering left and flattening the last. Tom Scudamore was able to take things easily on the run-in.

The SP was a little surprising, Poker Play having hinted at better things to come when second at Exeter last time in a well-contested handicap hurdle.

He tried fences without enjoying himself and this will remain his game for the time being, according to the trainer. The handicapper will make things much harder now but Poker Play will always be a force on heavy ground.

James Bowen, went on to complete a double when his father Peter sent out Cougar’s Gold to win the H Brown & Son Recycling Handicap Chase at 17/2 from the intriguingly-named Cuddles McGraw.

De Boinville double

NICO de Boinville, leading jockey at Cheltenham, continued in the same vein at Kempton, winning the featured Matchbook Silver Bowl Handicap Chase on Forth Bridge and the bumper on Nicky Henderson’s odds-on chance Shishkin.

Forth Bridge, trained by Charlie Longsdon for Queen Elizabeth, has been second too often for comfort but de Boinville gave him a peach of a ride, keeping him covered up and not asking for anything until they were well into the straight.

Still going easily, the 7/1 shot led at the last and went away to beat Onefortheroadtom by six lengths. He clearly has plenty of ability but the handicapper will have his say now.

Longsdon, formerly Henderson’s assistant, had already won the lady riders’ handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter with Diger Daudaie (9/2), ridden by Donald McCain’s daughter Abbie, who is exceptional value for her 7lb allowance.