(Placespotter) - a marathon trip in the mud and old FIREBIRD FLYER will forever be remembered for a lovely win for us at big Odds in the 2016 Midlands National. He was very regressive last season and more than once it looked like he could be retired. He did seem to have more spark last time BUT the balance of evidence suggests this price is too short and reluctantly I will take him on. "Plan B" in this type of race is often YANMARE, he is a mule who just plods on and on and may well be enough here, to save the obvious result, I will have a quid reverse forecast on FIREBIRD FLYER and YANMARE but the 2 at the base of the market interest me more in terms of value. Both CAP HORNER and CRANK EM UP have enough proven form over marathon trips to leave me no stamina concerns. Both have proven form in mud and both have had runs this season. This is a race that won't be pretty and value and the ability to plod and plod is the way in here. This is SPECULATIVE and not for the faint hearted or nervous punters; but a logic that pays huge reward often enough on winter Going in this type of race!