Nicholls Planning To Gun Down National Rivals

Paul Nicholls believes Gungadu is the pick of his quartet as the Ditcheat trainer bids to follow up Kauto Star's King George triumph in tomorrow's Coral Welsh National.

Nicholls has captured the Chepstow marathon twice in the last three years with Silver Birch (2004) and L'Aventure (2005), and goes for glory again with the last-named mare plus Gungadu, Cornish Sett and Geeveem.

He admits it is going to be tough, especially against David Pipe's trio of Over the Creek, Dom D'Orgeval and Not Left Yet.

'All four have got chances but as I have said, Gungadu is the one we have trained for the race,' said Nicholls.

'It's going to be very difficult and I think David Pipe's ones will be very hard to beat.

'Gungadu was running very well at Cheltenham (fell in the National Hunt Chase).

'It's always going to be a slog at Chepstow and I do think he would prefer better ground to stay the trip, but we are going to ride him a little differently anyway.'

Pipe has his string in tremendous form and has farmed the last two showpiece meetings on consecutive weekends.

And once again, he appears to have a strong hand in a race his father enjoyed great success.

Dom D'Orgeval disappointed in the Hennessy after being impeded by the fall of Snowy Morning, while Over The Creek and Not Left Yet arrive on the back of victories.

'Over The Creek may be the shortest price of the them, but I think you can make a case for all three,' Pipe said.

'They all seem to be in good form and should all appreciate the ground and like the trip.'

Owner David Johnson's retained rider Timmy Murphy has opted to partner Not Left Yet rather than Over The Creek and Pipe added: 'I haven't spoken to Timmy about it, but it was his decision to ride the horse.'

Last year's winner Halcon Genelardais is reported to be in top shape as he attempts to defy top weight of 11st 12lb.

His trainer Alan King was pleased with his seasonal reappearance when he finished third in a valuable event over hurdles at Haydock.

'He's in really good form but he is carrying a lot of weight,' said King.

'I think we have to go back to Carvill's Hill to find one who won with such a weight.

'But his preparation has gone really well, we were happy with him when he finished third at Haydock over hurdles and this has always been his target.

'I hope he'll run a massive race,' the trainer told Sky Sports News.

Jockey Andrew Thornton is hoping for a big run from his mount, Miko de Beauchene.

The seven-year-old has always looked a real staying chaser in the making and ran a fine race over hurdles at Newbury first time out this season.

A win would be a real tonic for Dorset handler Robert Alner, who is still in hospital recovering from a bad car crash.

'It's a good race and he's there with a chance, ' he said. 'He'll like the ground and he's in good form. Hopefully with a bit of luck he won't be far away. It would be nice to win it.'

Coral Welsh National betting:

Totesport: 5-1 Gungadu, Miko De Beauchene, 7-1 Halcon Genelardais, 8-1 Dream Alliance, 9-1 Not Left Yet, Over The Creek, 10-1 Geeveem, Homer Wells, 18-1 Dom D'Orgeval, 25-1 bar.

William Hill: 5-1 Miko De Beauchene, 11-2 Gungadu, 7-1 Halcon Genelardais, 8-1 Dream Alliance, Not Left Yet, 10-1 Geeveem, Homer Wells, Over The Creek, 18-1 Dom D'Orgeval, 20-1 Sir Rembrandt, 28-1 bar.

(C) PA Sport