Sean Curran hopes to erase Midlands' nightmare

SEAN CURRAN doesn't have happy memories of the Midlands' Grand National, writes Simon Milham.

The former jockey looked set to justify favouritism in the Uttoxeter race 14 years ago aboard Killeshin when disaster struck. "I decked him at the last," said Curran (right). "We should've won and the race still gives me nightmares."

Now a successful trainer, Curran saddles injury-plagued IRIS DE BALME (3.15pm) in the Grade 3 marathon tomorrow.

Having returned after a near two-year break with leg trouble, the 10-year-old had a nice run-out in a hurdle race at Wetherby but then finished distressed on his return to chasing at Doncaster last month.

Curran said: "He had an infection and we are back to square one with him. But I'm hopeful of a good effort."

There is a top-class all-weather card at Lingfield tomorrow, where Kevin Ryan's HANSON'D (3.00pm, nap) is strongly fancied to take the Spring Cup and SOUL CITY (3.35pm) can start his season on a winning note in the Group 3 Winter Derby for trainer Richard Hannon.

BEST OF THE REST - Lingfield: 2.25 Everymanforhimself (nb); Uttoxeter: 2.05 Summery Justice; 2.40 Woolfall Treasure