Regal Flow wins the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in miserable conditions just days after winning at Taunton
The 11-year-old ran just five days ago when winning at Taunton but was like a fresh horse as he galloped all the way to the line to win the marathon contest in desperate conditions at Uttoxeter.
REGAL FLOW produced a remarkable performance to win the Betfred Midlands National at Uttoxeter on Saturday.
The 11-year-old ploughed through desperate conditions to win the four-and-a-quarter-mile slog, just five days after winning another marathon contest at Taunton on Monday.
The Bob Buckler-trained runner looked like a fresh horse under Sean Houlihan who rode him patiently out the back.
Milansbar took the race by the throat with well over a circuit to go and looked to be going well out in front.
However, he could not live with Regal Flow over the final three fences as the 16-1 shot readily pulled clear to win 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'.
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"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."