the welsh national!

Not playing myself Ratty to tough a race , but a smashing spectacle all the same , good luck with your bet , you were unlucky in the last at kempton , the other one just got back up to deny you , yours was odds on in the photo as well....

This looks a cracker. Tidal Bay running adds plenty of intrigue and I think he can go close. The last time he ran in a handicap he was second in the Hennessy off 166 and he runs off 163 tomorrow. That being said, he has to give the bones of two stone to some talented rivals and he'll need to be at his best.

I've long has Goonyella in mind for this race but I don't think there's much value in his price at 8/1. He has plenty of stamina and will handle the ground but had a less than ideal trip over and I just don't feel like 8/1 is a price to be getting involved at.

I've gone for Tour Des Champs. He is liable to throw in the odd stinker but has ran on his last three outings. He's crying out for a proper test of stamina and that's what he'll get tomorrow. He's also handled heavy ground well in the past which is a positive as well as the fact it will increase the emphasis on stamina. I haven't backed him each way but rather with Paddy Power's 4-place insurebet offer, where he is 10/1. He's only 14/1 to win outright so I like this bit of added insurance.

TEAFORTHREE/ WELL REFRESHED/ GOONYELLA/ TOUR DES CHAMPS (5lbs)/ RED ROCCO(7lbs)/ narrowed the field down to five and two of them are out of the handicapp 5 and 7lbs respectivily. gl all

TEAFORTHREE has shown some good form over C/D, just finding my selection too good last year monbeg dude, would of backed that again.

To quote Jim Dreaper "he is eating and drinking but not as much as we would like,but i,m sure he will pick up through the day" taken from yesterday,not really what you wanted to hear but suppose it could be worse.

I'd be a bit worried about Teaforthree having not run since his 3rd in the national, possibility this could a pipe opener for another crack at the national?, but the presence of Tidal Bay means he won't be carrying a healthy burden and he does like Chepstow, but I think I'll just plumb for Merry King for the simple fact that Jonjo O'Neill always needs to be respected in these big staying chases.

teaforthree had an unexpected delay in the training shedule for this race, had race course gallop as preparation for the race,
good jumper will get round in that heavy going, did well last year running the light weight monbeg dude all the way to line.
grand national 3rd showed its better horse than its profile suggests. will be going to the grand national, sure they will be
trying to win the grand national again.

Personally think this race is made for Tidal Bay. Obviously no back number as his hurdles win this season showed. Had smaller e.w bets on Well Refreshed and Goonyella(worried about the poor travelling, feed etc now) with 365, 5 places.
GL

Convinced Ruby would have got the old boy home in front. Jacob didn't know how to cajole him home. That lack of knowledge is exactly why he should not be riding Big Bucks. I sincerely hope Ruby gets the leg up for his return.