Stamina worry for Pipe as he plots Welsh National bid with Ramses De Teillee

Stamina is the biggest concern facing , who is the general 7-1 second-favourite for Thursday's £150,000 Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

What is in the smart grey's favour is his record at the track, which reads 2111, the three victories coming on heavy ground, which is another plus in advance of Chepstow's richest event and one of the most gruelling races in the calendar.

Trained by David Pipe for John White and Anne Underhill, the six-year-old impressed when winning a trial for the Welsh National this month, but that was over two miles seven and a half furlongs and he faces another six furlongs next week.

Pipe said: "I thought he'd win at Chepstow the other day, but this is a better race. If he goes there he'll be travelling well turning into the home straight and then it's just about his stamina.

"We might have a question mark about that, but his course form is very good and he handles the ground there."

Recent Becher Chase second Vieux Lion Rouge could also represent the stable and is a 25-1 chance.

"We've got in it as well and he'll get the trip well, but he needs to keep up a bit better than he did in the Becher," added the trainer.

Thirty-one remained in the race after Friday's forfeits, with Ballyoptic heading the weights on 11st 12lb.

Race sponsor Coral, meanwhile, have signed a five-year renewal of their deal with Chepstow's owner Arena Racing Company.

Under the agreement, announced on Friday, Coral will continue its support for the most prestigious race in Wales through to the 2022 renewal, which will be the 50th year of the sponsorship, the longest graded race sponsorship in British jump racing.

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