Unbeaten chaser Aworkinprogress has shot up the ratings this season following four straight victories over fences. The first of those four wins came at Stratford in a handicap chase back in October where he prevailed by just over a length.
Nick Gifford’s runner now has two entries, with the Kim Muir Challenge Cup and Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter both being considered.
Talented chaser looks set to be a strong stayer
Stamina is something Aworkinprogress has shown he has lots of, so it is no surprise Gifford has his horse entered in the Kim Muir Challenge Cup – one of the longest races at the Cheltenham Festival. He has Cheltenham Festival odds of 16/1 for the contest.
Aworkinprogress is likely to be one of the leading Cheltenham betting tips for the Kim Muir Challenge Cup as he has one of the lowest weight allocations in the race. The six-year-old, who prevailed at Lingfield on his last start, will have just 10st 5lb on his back, should he line up in the contest.
Gifford’s runner has a lot of solid form in testing conditions, with his best wins coming on heavy ground. His connections will be hoping rain falls ahead of the final contest of day three of the meeting. It will be the horse’s first appearance at Cheltenham, and the New Course is expected to suit him.
The Stratford winner is part of a strong team of horses that leading owner JP McManus has entered for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. The Irishman has entries in a number of the championship races across the week, including the blue riband event of the meeting, with Corbetts Cross and Inothewayurthinkin in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He last won the Gold Cup in 2012 with Synchronised.
Midlands Grand National entry at Uttoxeter
The Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter is one of the most valuable handicap races run in the UK. It is often a stepping stone for novice chasers towards graded action later in their careers. Gifford has entered Aworkinprogress, and he is likely to relish the marathon distance at the Midlands racecourse.
Aworkinprogress has been given a weight allocation of 101st 6lb at Uttoxeter for the 4m2f contest. He will take on 19 other rivals if he is part of the final field for the race. No six-year-old has prevailed in the Midlands Grand National since Big Occasion in 2013.
Should Aworkinprogress come out on top at Uttoxeter, Giffford and McManus will have the Grand National Aintree in mind in 2026. He currently has an official rating of 121, and victory in the Midlands Grand National will see him rise significantly up the ratings. Next season will see him step out on novice company, so he will take on some of the best chasers in the stayers’ division.
The six-year-old is considered one of the brightest novice chasers in the UK. With the entries he has for the rest of the season, it’s set to be a huge end to the campaign for him, and it could determine the path his connections take going forward.
