Welsh National glory the target for Fergal O’Brien and Chase The Spud
O'Brien's stayer has won his last two races and looks sure to relish the test at Chepstow on Wednesday
FERGAL O'BRIEN will be doing his rain dance ahead of Chase The Spud's run in Wednesday's Coral Welsh National at Chepstow.
The nine-year-old has won his last two races, including the Midlands Grand National and a valuable chase at Haydock, and the form has stood up.
"He has a bit more weight than I'd like, but it is what it is and we're looking forward to the race," said the in-form O'Brien.
"The horse seems in great form and a bit more rain wouldn't go amiss.
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"He ran in the race a couple of years ago and was pulled up, but maybe he just wasn't ready for it at that stage and he didn't have Paddy on his back. As we've seen, nobody gets on with him like Paddy does."
One horse aimed at the race for a long time is Chepstow specialist Rock The Kasbah.
He has never been out of the first two in Wales, winning three times.
";His form at Chepstow seems to be so much better than elsewhere and I've no idea why," said trainer Philip Hobbs.
"He's won his novice chase there and he won well there in October.
Templegate's TV tips
1.20 Kempton - REIGNING SUPREME: 'Won twice from three starts over hurdles last season and he looks well weighted'
1.55 Kempton - ELEGANT ESCAPE: 'I’ve a feeling he's progressing faster than his rivals and he put in a fine round of jumping last time'
2.10 Wetherby - BAYWING: 'Loves testing ground and his chase win last February over today’s course and distance is good form'
2.30 Kempton - BUVEUR D'AIR: 'Should have little trouble rattling off his eighth straight win'
3.05 Kempton - THISTLECRACK: 'If he’s back to the form of 12 months ago he will be the one to beat'
"He's a horse that runs best when fresh so we did think about running again after the October win, but it made sense to wait for the Welsh National. The trip doesn't worry me."
Vicente will try to add the Chepstow marathon to his back-to-back wins in the Scottish National.
However, after a good comeback run at Cheltenham, he will need to carry top weight to victory, which trainer Paul Nicholls admits will not be easy.
He told Betfair: "He's won the last two Scottish Grand Nationals, he ran very well recently at Cheltenham, only just failing on very soft ground, which he doesn't really like but he goes in it.
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"The only downside is that he's got top weight and that is a lot to carry round Chepstow. But, he stays well, stamina is his forte and I'm hopeful of a big run."