UTTOXETER | Five Aintree Festival runners entered for the Clarke Chase

Five runners that appeared at the Grand National Festival at Aintree have been entered into the Clarke Chase at Uttoxeter on Sunday.

Getaway Trump makes his first return after falling at the last in the Red Rum Handicap Chase, with his trainer hoping to see the gelding bounce back to winning ways.

The eight-year-old made light work of his rivals at Doncaster back in March, travelling well throughout to win by six and a half lengths.

Paul Nicholls has stepped the gelding back up in trip to 2m4f, but he did beat improving sort Happygolucky over a furlong further at Fakenham back in November.

Topham Handicap Chase runner-up Pink Eyed Pedro makes the trip to the Staffordshire course with the hope of replicating his promising performance at Aintree.

The 10-year-old produced a big effort at the Merseyside track last month when finishing four and a half lengths behind Willie Mullins’ Livelovelaugh.

The gelding had every chance of winning on his last outing at Newton Abbot at the beginning of the month but he unseated his rider at two out.

Lucinda Russell’s Ain’t My Fault finished a creditable seventh in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at the large odds of 50/1 back in April.

The eight-year-old featured at Kelso at the beginning of the month, finishing fourth in a 2m1f Handicap Chase.

The gelding would prefer some cut in the ground at Uttoxeter, but he has been dropped 2lbs in the ratings and has shown some ability on his last two starts.

Betway Bowl contender Militarian will be aiming to claim his first victory since November 2019 for Andrew Martin while Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Topofthecotswold makes his return to fences after falling in the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.