Native River given green light to target second Welsh National under big weight

Native River will look to add another memorable chapter to his story after Joe Tizzard revealed he would return to the Coral Welsh Grand National next Monday in a bid to repeat his triumph of five years ago.

That win off an official rating of 155 was the last time Native River was tested in a handicap as Brocade Racing's star went on to forge a career in the top staying chases, crowned by success in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

While his mark dropped 4lb for his second last time out to Protektorat in the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree, the topweight will still run off a hefty mark of 166.

In the last ten seasons, 29 horses have attempted to win big handicaps off an equal rating or higher, with only Sire De Grugy successful in a Chepstow handicap in 2015.

Only Bonanza Boy and Mountainous have won two Welsh Nationals in the last 32 years, and the Tizzards will be double-handed in their quest to add to that select company as 2018 winner Elegant Escape is also set to run.

"The more I speak to Garth and Anne [Broom, owners] about it, the more it sounds like we'll run," Tizzard said. "There's not much before the Cotswold Chase and he's ready to run so we'll let him take his chance.

"We've been mindful that we'll run him in the right conditions and that suits him around there. It's not easy off his mark but he's got as much chance in that than a conditions or Graded race."

Tizzard added: "He bumped into a horse half his age on an upward curve in the Many Clouds, he was beaten fair and square. There were a few good horses behind us so that's where he is at the moment and with the right conditions he'll have his day again at some point.

"It's not last chance saloon. We're running him because we think he's going to be competitive in it, but winning is a different ball game."

Lostintranslation (right): set to take on Clan Des Obeaux at Kempton againCredit: Edward Whitaker

Before that, Lostintranslation will bid to make it third time lucky in the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He has been pulled up in the race for the last two years but bounced back to his best at Ascot last time and is reported in great form ahead of his return to the top level.

"He did his final piece of work on Monday morning and we were happy with him," added Tizzard. "There's not too much rain forecast for him and it'll be ideal.

"I don't see Kempton as a problem. He bled both times he was there, that's what's stopped him. He's won right-handed and nothing fazes him so I'm not too bothered. He seems to have come out of Ascot well, it looks a good race and there's at least half a dozen who are capable of winning it so we'll give it a go."

Coral Welsh Grand National (December 27)

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