Welsh National the long term aim for Paddy The Coral Welsh Grand National will be Shotgun Paddy's main objective in the first half of next season after he finished the current campaign with an excellent run in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham The Emma Lavelle-trained seven-year-old was only beaten a neck by Midnight Prayer in the four-mile contest run on ground faster than he would have preferred. Winner of the Betfred Classic Chase at Warwick in January, Shotgun Paddy will also be considered for next year's Crabbie's Grand National at Aintree. "He could have done with a bit slower ground, but he ran very well," said Dan Downie, racing manager for owners Axom. "He's fine and he will go on holiday. "The Welsh National is definitely the aim and he will be entered in the Grand National next year as well."
