TRUCKERS Lodge routed his rivals in a Midlands Grand National romp for Paul Nicholls at a bottomless Uttoxeter.
Young jockey Lorcan Williams kept things simple and never looked in danger as the pair went one better than their Welsh National second last time out.
The £84,000 first prize makes it the most valuable handicap of the week and it capped a successful day for the Ditcheat team who also landed a double at Kempton with McFabulous and Fidelio Vallis looking smart prospects.
Nicholls may have been at the Sunbury track, but he would have been watching with a smile as one-by-one Truckers Lodge’s rivals fell away over the four-mile and two furlong trip.
Williams got him into a steady rhythm and only Joe Farrell and Captain Drake looked a threat as the race entered the closing stages.
A poor jump from Joe Farrell at the final fence ended any chance in that camp and left Williams to steer the eight-year-old home on only his fifth chase start.
Winning rider Williams said: “He’s only a little horse and he’s slow but he just stays and gallops.
“He’s very game, even going after the line he didn’t want to stop. If there was a ten mile race he’d be one to put in it.
“He’s a ball of muscle and loves his jumping. We schooled him in the week and he was electric.
“This is only his fifth go over fences and there’s definitely more there. I could have done with more company as when anything comes to him he just goes again!”
Some performance from Truckers Lodge to win the Midlands Grand National
Stays and jumps for fun – nicely placed by @PFNicholls
pic.twitter.com/fReiqZxsio
— Sun Racing (@SunRacing) March 14, 2020
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