Lee hoping Mountainous can rise to National Kerry Lee reports Welsh Grand National hero Mountainous to be "bouncing" and "loving life" ahead of another big-race assignment at Haydock this weekend. The 11-year-old last month became the first dual winner of Chepstow's prestigious marathon event since Bonanza Boy won back-to-back renewals in 1988 and 1989 and will encounter similarly demanding conditions in the Betfred Grand National Trial. Lee, who enjoyed another significant success with Top Gamble in the Game Spirit at Newbury last Saturday, has a second string to her bow in the form of Bishops Road, who steps up in grade and distance as connections seek to determine whether he is a realistic contender for the Grand National itself at Aintree in April. "I think both Mountainous and Bishops Road will love the ground," said the Herefordshire-based trainer. "Mountainous has been bouncing since his Welsh National win. He's absolutely loving life at the moment. "For Bishops Road this is obviously a test to see if he gets the trip. I thought it's a Grand National Trial, so we are doing just that. "We are going to try to see if he gets three and a half miles. If he doesn't, he'll go for the Topham, if he does he'll go for the Grand National. "He was put up a stone for winning at Sandown but he has thrived since joining us. "I don't think he needs very soft ground, he was quite versatile in Ireland. "He would look an Aintree type, he's a lovely horse. " Depending how they get on, they could then both go to Aintree." David Pipe is expecting a bold show from Broadway Buffalo, who is ridden by leading Irish amateur Katie Walsh. Walsh steered the eight-year-old to the runner-up spot in last season's National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and was also on board when he finished fifth in a Grade One hurdle at Auteuil in November. He has been off the track since the latest of those efforts, but the Pond House handler does not expect him to be lacking in the fitness department. Pipe said: "We're hoping he'll run well. He won't mind the ground and everything looks ideal. "It's been the plan for a while to start him back in this race and he schooled well earlier in the week. "It's a tough race and it'll be a real slog, but he should appreciate that. "Tom (Scudamore) decided to go to Ascot and the owner was keen for Katie to ride Broadway Buffalo again." The Sue Smith-trained Cloudy Too ran away with Haydock's Peter Marsh Chase last month and returns to the track off a 10lb higher mark. He has been well-backed this week but Smith's husband and assistant, Harvey, is conscious of his rise in the weights. He said: " He'll handle the ground, but he's up in trip to three and a half miles and has a lot of weight. "He should get the trip, but he has gone up a lot (in the handicap). That's the problem. "He is in super form." Gas Line Boy, formerly a high-class chaser for Philip Hobbs, unseated his rider at the 15th fence in the Peter Marsh on what was his first start for Jim Best. The Lewes-based trainer is expecting a bold show with a clear round. He said: "We thought he was very unlucky in the Peter Marsh. We felt he was still going really well at the time. "He came out of the race fine and seems in good form, so we're hoping he'll run really well." Harry The Viking has been placed on seven of his last 10 starts, including when touched off by Lie Forrit in this race 12 months ago. Trainer Sandy Thomson said: "The horses are in good form and he seems very well. "He has a nice weight on his back. I'm a firm believer if you have more than 11st 4lb over this sort of trip in this ground you're going to struggle, which would rule a few of them out. "I'm hoping he'll run a big race." The Venetia Williams-trained Rigadin De Beauchene won this prize in 2014 and is back to regain his crown after falling in the Classic Chase at Warwick. Minella On Line from Rebecca Curtis' yard completes the eight-strong field.
