Lavelle ready to Lodge National bid Emma Lavelle believes ultra-testing conditions for the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow today will suit her representative Highland Lodge. The seven-year-old finished fourth in the Hennessy Gold Cup behind Triolo D'Alene on ground that was quicker than ideal, but this time conditions will be on the testing side of heavy and with three miles and five furlongs to overcome, stamina will be at a premium. "HIghland Lodge came out of the Hennessy very well indeed. It was just a shame the ground was as good as it was at Newbury as all he does is stay," said Lavelle. "He is just a relentless galloper. It will be very tough going, but we know he handles it very well and I think he'll stay. Tidal Bay running means we can run off a lovely weight (10st 6lb)." Tidal Bay heads a maximum field of 20. Paul Nicholls' veteran proved his aptitude for marathon distances when winning the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April 2012 and went on to prove he could still mix it with the best around when victorious in the Lexus Chase in Ireland last Christmas. Despite turning 13 in just a few days, he reappeared with a win over hurdles at Wetherby, but did not find the Betfair Chase at Haydock enough of a stamina test. Nicholls believes the return to a marathon distance will be right up Tidal Bay's street. He said: "Tidal Bay won the bet365 at Sandown over three-miles-five on very heavy ground. You can take your time with him and he has a touch of class." Well Refreshed has always looked an ideal candidate for this type of race since winning the Grand National Trial at Haydock last season and he returned to form when third at Sandown. The presence of Tidal Bay means he only carries 10st 2lb. Trainer Gary Moore said: "He seems in good form and he must have a good chance. He's got a lovely racing weight as far as I'm concerned. As long as he jumps a bit better than he did at Sandown he must have some sort of chance." Jonjo O'Neill's Merry King is only six but ran a cracker in the Hennessy to finish fifth. "Merry King is in good form. He ran a nice race in the Hennessy. He came there well but when they quickened up, he couldn't go with them," said the trainer.
