Native River© Photo Healy Racing
Joe Tizzard believes Hennessy Gold Cup hero Native River has a "great chance" of following up in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Having rounded off last season with a Grade One success at Aintree, the six-year-old warmed up for his big-race assignment at Newbury with an encouraging comeback run over hurdles at Wetherby.
Colin Tizzard's charge looked set to win decisively in the Hennessy but idled after the final fence and had just enough in reserve to hold off the fast-finishing Carole's Destrier by half a length.
Connections were initially lukewarm on the idea of a Welsh Grand National bid with a horse they hope can develop into a realistic contender for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but the prospect of decent ground has prompted them to let the gelding take his chance under 11st 12lb.
Tizzard, assistant to his father, said: "Native River was so impressive in the Hennessy. He's gone up 8lb in the handicap but can run with only a 4lb penalty.
"In any other year we might not have gone down this route with him as he is only a six-year-old and some years it (Chepstow) can be really bottomless and top weight would have left its mark.
"This year we've had such a dry autumn and it doesn't look like it's going to be too bad, so he can take his chance.
"The track will suit him and he has a great chance. With the ground as it is, I'm not worried about him having top weight."
Native River's Hennessy success was a first in the race for champion jockey Richard Johnson, who takes the ride once more and is full of hope.
He told his Betway blog: "I'd like to think that if he's in the same form as his Hennessy win then he'd take a lot of beating.
"He's definitely an improving horse and seems to be thriving on his racing. The Tizzard team have their horses in rude health, and as long as the ground is suitable, he's one I'm most looking forward to over Christmas."
Native River spearheads a three-pronged assault on the extended three-mile-five-furlong contest by the Tizzard team.
Theatre Guide was eighth in the Hennessy before winning at Cheltenham earlier this month, while Viconte Du Noyer won at Cheltenham in November before disappointing over the Grand National fences in the Becher Chase at Aintree.
"Theatre Guide has been a good horse, but he was disappointing in the Hennessy. He's always had a high head carriage but it was exaggerated in the Hennessy," Tizzard jnr told Coral TV.
"The plan was to go straight here but he came out of the Hennessy like he hadn't had a race, so we ran him at Cheltenham in first-time blinkers and he won.
"He's had three weeks and he's ready to go. Whether he has the class of Native River, I don't know, but he's certainly got a live each-way chance.
"If you take Viconte Du Noyer's Aintree run out of it he'd have a chance after his Cheltenham win.
"After Aintree I rode him on the Monday and he was way too fresh. I think he simply didn't face the National fences and didn't have a hard race. On Cheltenham form he'd have a live each-way chance."
Neil Mulholland is expecting another bold show from Carole's Destrier.
He said: "He's ready for it. He came out of the Hennessy very well and he's had a little bit of time to get back up on his toes. He's done a nice couple of bits of work recently so we're very happy with him.
"There's not just Native River to be worried about, it's three furlongs further than the Hennessy but they bring good solid form. These races take a lot of luck and a lot of winning.
"Fingers crossed he has a good run around and can be competitive with a view to running in the Grand National at the end of the season."
Kerry Lee reports Mountainous to be in great shape as the 11-year-old goes for an unprecedented third win in the race.
First successful three years ago, Mountainous ploughed through the mud to land the last renewal, which was run in early January having been rescheduled, and Lee would love to have similar conditions this time, although that seems doubtful.
"In an ideal world, we'd have the same conditions as last year, but there's nothing we can do about the weather," said the Presteigne trainer.
"He's in the form of his life at home and he'll be there to give it his best shot.
"This is his season's target, but if it doesn't come off it's going to rain heavily at some point and we'll find something similar, maybe the National Trial at Haydock in February."
Lee also saddles Bishops Road, who shaped well on his seasonal debut when fourth to Otago Trail in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle a month ago.
"He's in great form and I couldn't be happier with him going into the race. I'm looking forward to him giving a strong account of himself," she said.
"He ran a very nice race in the Rehearsal. It was a good prep run."
Evan Williams reports Firebird Flyer to be in great form ahead of his bid to go one better than in this race last winter.
The nine-year-old put in his best work at the finish to get within two and three-quarter lengths of Mountainous before going on to win the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter in March.
Williams was pleased with Firebird Flyer's comeback effort at Haydock last month and his preparation for Chepstow has gone swimmingly.
The Llancarfan trainer said: "Fingers crossed he'll run a decent race. I was surprised how well he ran in it last season. Obviously, I hoped he'd run well and then he won the Midlands National, which was fantastic.
"He ran a very good race last time at Haydock. The horse that beat him (Three Faces West) has gone and won well again since. We're very happy with him.
"I'm surprised how he much he's matured again and he's in great form.
"Obviously it would be good to win a Welsh National. We've been second, third and fourth in the race. It would be nice to go one better. We've just got our fingers crossed for a good run."
Onenightinvienna is a major contender for Philip Hobbs and Tom O'Brien after making a successful start to his season at Carlisle.
O'Brien said: "Onenightinvienna is a good horse, the trip should suit him.
"He won on his comeback at Carlisle. That was only three miles but he ran well for a long way in the Grand National before unseating me. No matter what the ground is, he's straightforward."
