Raz entered for Welsh National repeat at Chepstow Gavin Cromwell’s stable stalwart Raz De Maree features among eight Irish-trained entries for the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27. The 13-year-old enjoyed his finest moment when winning the 2017 renewal — which was run in January due to bad weather. He has had two runs since, finishing a creditable 10th in the Grand National at Aintree and returning to action in the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National at Limerick last month. Grade Two-wining grey mare Baie Des Iles represents the Ross O’Sullivan yard, while the remaining six Irish possibles all hail from the Gordon Elliott stable and include 2016 Irish Grand National hero Rogue Angel and Monbeg Notorious. Welshman Peter Bowen feels Rons Dream has the right sort of profile to make an impact. The eight-year-old, who enjoyed a winning return to action in a Listed event at Market Rasen earlier this month, is one of 67 entries — and two for Bowen together with Pearl Swan. Bowen said: “Rons Dream won quite a nice Listed race at Market Rasen and is likely to go again in another Listed race at Carlisle in just under a fortnight and then go for the Welsh Grand National. “She is a marvellous mare and will love that heavy ground, as all she ever does is stay. “She beat a 145-rated mare (Casablanca Mix) giving her 4lb the other day, which was a good display. “Off her mark she should hopefully be at the right end of the handicap for it.” Dual Scottish Grand National winner Vicente is one of two alongside recent Cheltenham scorer Ibis Du Rheu for Paul Nicholls, who is seeking his third win in the race. Favourite for the extended three-mile-five-furlong prize with the sponsor is the Anthony Honeyball-trained Ms Parfois, who heads the market at 8-1.
