Officials at Chepstow are keeping their fingers 'firmly crossed' that Saturday's rescheduled Coral Welsh Grand National card will go ahead despite the fact the meeting must pass an inspection on Friday. The fixture was originally scheduled for its usual festive slot on December 27 but was cancelled. Grand National 2017: track where your horse finished or fell with fence-by-fence recap Previous slide Next slide 22 of 32 View All Skip Ad.and fence 21 was the same. Grand National 2017: track where your horse finished or fell with fence-by-fence recap Previous slide Next slide 1 of 32 View All Skip Ad. With the Grand National done and dusted for another year. The Grand National is the longest race in the National Hunt calendar, unless a horse has previously had a run in the National it's unlikely that they have ever raced over this distance. In fact, few races come close to the four mile slog that Aintree serves up. Dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll may skip a historic attempt to become the second horse to win the race three times and instead contest the Irish version, his owner Michael O'Leary has said.
Grand National hopefuls are polishing off their preparations ahead of next month's Aintree spectacular and a number of potential runners are in action on Saturday.
A string of quality chasers including Grand National favourite Cloth Cap will contest the 2m 7½f Listed contest at Kelso. The small-but-competitive-looking field could provide some pointers over form with April 10 in mind. Journey south to Doncaster where there could be more clues for the world's greatest steeplechase in the Class 2 Grimthorpe Handicap Chase.
Don't forget, Paddy Power is offering non-runner money back on the Grand National so you don't risk losing out if your pick does not line up on the day.
Kelso – 2.40
CLOTH CAP
The 12/1 NRMB favourite for the Grand National, Cloth Cap is running for the third time this season after a lengthy break since winning the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury in November. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained nine-year-old finished third behind Frodon and West Approach on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham the month before.
DEFINITLY RED
The 12-year-old is running under rules for the 37th time in his career. Definitly Red finished eighth out of 10 on his seasonal reappearance in the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase before falling in a Listed race at Newcastle in November. He is currently 33/1 in our Grand National NRMB book.
LAKE VIEW LAD
A 20/1 NRMB shot for the Grand National, Lake View Lad kicked off his season in fine style by winning the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December beating the likes of 2020 Gold Cup runner-up Santini, 2018 Gold Cup winner Native River and Frodon, who won the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. Native River turned the tables as Lake View Lad finished 78l behind in fifth out of six starters in last month's Cotswold Chase.
Doncaster – 3.30
CANELO
It's been a busy old campaign for Canelo, who runs for the sixth time and is hoping to improve his 40% win rate for the season. The Alan King-trained eight-year-old has been allocated a rating of 147 for the Grand National – and is currently available at 33/1 NRMB.
BEWARE THE BEAR
Horse Track Grand Prairie
A winner at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival in the Ultima Handicap Chase, Beware The Bear has not been first past the post since. The Nicky Henderson-trained 11-year-old has finished fifth and seventh in two runs this season. Beware The Bear, who runs off a mark of 153, is 50/1 for the Grand National in our NRMB book.