'It's not a nightmare' - Evan Williams on Secret Reprieve's Chepstow prep

Secret Reprieve will bid to defy convention and defend his Coral Welsh Grand National crown on his first run since his Chepstow heroics almost a year ago.

Trainer Evan Williams will put aside concerns about the absence of a prep run and the suitability of the ground to aim his stable star at the marathon chase, which he hopes can be a springboard for the Grand National in April.

Secret Reprieve gave the Glamorgan-based trainer a first win in his country's most prestigious race in the 2020 rescheduled running in January, but he has not been seen since, with a comeback delayed due to the unseasonably quick conditions at the start of the jumps season.

No horse in the last decade has won the Welsh National off an absence of more than 49 days, but Secret Reprieve will have gone 352 days without a run when he lines up on December 27.

There had been some doubt over his participation last month, but Williams confirmed on Wednesday the seven-year-old will bid to become just the second back-to-back winner of the race.

"I'd have loved to have got a run under his belt and we haven't been able to," the trainer said. "We are where we are, but Chepstow is where we'll be aiming, he worked this morning and everything is grand with him.

2.50 Chepstow: Coral Welsh Grand National racecard and betting

"It's not a nightmare, but it is what it is. You don't get the same preparation every year and that's what training horses is all about – working with what you've been given.

"We wanted to go back as the current title-holder, but we're going there on the back of a hell of a different preparation to this time last year."

Williams is unfazed about ground conditions, with rain and snow maybe hitting Chepstow after Christmas Day according to the long-range weather forecast, and said the race will be a stepping stone for greater targets, including a possible tilt at the Grand National, for which he agonisingly missed the cut last season.

He added: "The reality is we've got to start somewhere and use it as a springboard to other races – it's not all about the Welsh National. We're not even thinking about that [the Grand National], we just want to get him started. The most important thing is we need to get running, it's the whole crux of the matter and the main objective."

Last Saturday's tenacious Racing Post Gold Cup winner Coole Cody could bid for another Cheltenham victory on New Year's Day in the Grade 3 handicap chase, but is not a certain runner according to Williams.

Coral Welsh Grand National (December 27)

Sponsor: 5 Ask Me Early, 6 Secret Reprieve, 8 Highland Hunter, 10 The Big Dog, Time To Get Up, Threeunderthrufive, 12 Hold That Taught, 14 bar

Read this next:

Welsh National favourite 'stiff and sore' with decision to be made by weekend

Win the ultimate Cheltenham Festival experience in the Racing Post Christmas Countdown. You and three friends could travel to the festival in style with helicopter transfers from your hotel. Simply place a bet on the Racing Post app this Friday to be entered into the prize draw, plus there are weekly prizes to be won. Find out the full details here.