WEST OF THE EDGE can gain handsome atonement for a narrow defeat in the Eider Chase by winning the Betfred Midlands National at Uttoxeter.

The 10-year-old was stepped up to an extended four miles by trainer Richard Newland to tackle the Newcastle feature and it looked to be an excellent decision as he looked a likely winner when taking up the running with two fences to jump.

However, Baywing had deeper reserves of stamina that day and sailed by after the last with West Of The Edge just keeping on to finish four lengths adrift in second.

He gets his favoured soft ground again and with stamina now proven he must surely be there or thereabouts once more.

Kempton's card features some decent action and Just A Sting can make his mark in the Matchbook Racing Is Commission Free Silver Plate Handicap Hurdle.

He came home third in a novice heat at Ascot on his latest start but given the winner, Vinndication, has gone on to score at Listed level while the second, Champ, is held in the very highest regard by Nicky Henderson, it does not look too bad an effort at all.

Starting off a mark of 125 here, handicaps could be the making of Just A Sting.

Kilcrea Vale missed the cut at Cheltenham, but the Matchbook Silver Bowl Handicap Chase looks an excellent opportunity to gain some compensation and notch up his first victory in over a year.

He was last seen finishing a fair second behind Acting Lass at Ascot back in January and remains on a reasonably competitive mark.

All eyes will be on Seeyouatmidnight as he returns to action at Carlisle, but Firth Of The Clyde can crash the party in the 188Bet Mobile Veterans' Handicap Chase.

Sandy Thomson's charge needs to run in order to qualify for next month's Grand National, but given he has been off the track for almost a year, the 10-year-old might just need a sharpener here.

That leaves the door open for Firth Of The Clyde, who won this race in 2016 and has batted away well in his four subsequent outings.

Clearly he is not the most robust of horses as he has run just 25 times at the age of 13, but he certainly has ability on his day and perhaps just needed the outing when fourth at Newcastle on his most recent effort.

That was his first run for 100 days so he should feel the benefit and the patient approach of connections should pay dividends once again.

Warren Greatrex can do the business at Ffos Las with Fly Du Charmil,

He had looked a promising horse in his younger days but then appeared to lose his way.

Running off a lowly mark of 106 at this course in February, he finally returned to winning ways and the key was first-time cheekpieces.

They are on once more for the Davies Chemists Ltd Handicap Hurdle and the way he stayed on powerfully last time suggests the extra half a mile will not pose a problem.

SELECTIONS:

Saturday

FONTWELL: 1.40 Big Robin, 2.15 Bredon Hill Lad, 2.50 Naranja, 3.25 King Uther, 4.00 What Larks, 4.35 Guards Chapel, 5.10 Fizzlestik.

KEMPTON: 1.30 Grapevine, 2.05 Copain De Classe, 2.40 Just A Sting, 3.15 Kilcrea Vale, 3.50 Champagne Champ, 4.25 Allee Bleue, 5.00 Starjac.

UTTOXETER: 1.50 Mozo, 2.25 Big River, 3.00 Fleminport, 3.35 WEST OF THE EDGE (NAP), 4.10 Coningsby, 4.45 Present Flight, 5.20 Whiskey In The Jar, 5.55 Smiths Cross.

WEXFORD: 1.55 Torcello, 2.30 Monatomic, 3.05 Hughies Bay, 3.40 Seskinane, 4.15 Inis Mean, 4.50 Crosshue Boy, 5.25 Small Farm.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.45 Abe Lincoln, 6.15 Theglasgowwarrior, 6.45 Volturnus, 7.15 Breathless Times, 7.45 Made Of Honour, 8.15 Satchville Flyer, 8.45 Living Leader.

DOUBLE: West Of The Edge and Kilcrea Vale.

Sunday

CARLISLE: 2.05 Perseid, 2.35 Kelka, 3.10 Point Of Principle, 3.40 Firth Of The Clyde, 4.15 Instingtive, 4.50 Third Of The Third.

FFOS LAS: 2.15 Bonne Question, 2.45 Carole's Vigilante, 3.20 Cawdor House Bert, 3.50 FLY DU CHARMIL (NAP), 4.25 Fraser Canyon, 5.00 Pink Gin, 5.30 Al Dancer.

LIMERICK: 2.00 Nick Lost, 2.30 Court Artist, 3.05 Caltex, 3.35 Battling Spirit, 4.10 Dinaria Des Obeaux, 4.45 Sir Bob, 5.15 Simple Steps.

NAVAN: 1.50 I Am Sailing, 2.20 Play The Game, 2.55 Draconien, 3.25 Great Field, 4.00 Tombstone, 4.35 Without Limites, 5.05 Flemenstorm, 5.35 Madison To Monroe.

DOUBLE: Fly Du Charmil and Firth Of The Clyde.

ends