It all depends on the TC controller on Midlands unfortunately. 95% of them allow direct HON and VELAG. Some are pedantic and won't allow them to route to VELAG as apparently it drops below CAS- there's a lot of traffic around at that time of night(!!)
Then you have the MACC guys, some allow you to go to DAYNE and NANTI, others want it all via TNT. Depends who's on there unfortunately.
TC East seem pretty good, often giving DCT LAM for right base when EGSS is on 04 rather than follow the whole ABBOT arrival or direct the LUT etc.
Oh and most directs are tied up after 2300 local usually or when the traffic dies down....