Midlands National preview Kilbeggan stages its biggest meeting of the year this evening with the Midlands National Handicap Chase taking centre stage. Thirteen horses have been declared for the three-mile-one-furlong contest which was won last year by subsequent Aintree National third Double Seven. Noel Meade saddles both Muirhead and Cross Appeal, and said: "Cross Appeal hasn't run for a long time and he probably will need the run. "Muirhead is coming down a bit in the weights and he likes goodish ground. He is getting a bit older now and he is probably not the force he used to be." Philip Rothwell is represented by handicap debutant Bottle Rattler and he looks an interesting contender carrying just 9st 12lb. Rothwell said of the JP McManus owned six-year-old: "He is in great form and he will enjoy the ground. "I think the handicapper has been hard quite on him with the rating he gave him for what he has done over fences but hopefully he is right and hopefully he can perform well." Gordon Elliott is triple-handed with Davy Russell reuniting with owners Gigginstown House Stud for the ride on top-weight Shrapnel, who wears blinkers for the first time. Barry Geraghty will be aboard Toostrong, while Kevin Sexton partners Elliott's remaining runner, course and distance winner Raajih. Cherryantor finished a good second in the Connacht National on his last start and he looks a leading contender under Jonathan Burke for Iggy Madden, while 2011 winner Caim Hill will bid to recapture his title under Brian O'Connell for Philip Fenton. Fever Pitch, Rivage D'or and Hospital are all likely to feature prominently in the betting, while Shamiran and local hope Kanesh complete the line-up.
