TWO TO GO CLOSE IN CHEPSTOW SHOWPIECE

14:50 Chepstow - Welsh Grand National

Recent trends for this illustrious contest are rather thin on the ground although if you're looking for a yard to follow then trainer Colin Tizzard has saddled two of the last five winners of the race and sends out the heavily backed Christmas In April. The lightly raced eight year old claimed an encouraging second in the ''Southern National'' when last seen. There is every chance he will go well off his low weight however from a form perspective, he must show much more.

Secret Reprieve turned the trial for this race into a procession when hammering the re-opposing, The Two Amigos, by a dozen lengths. Strictly speaking there is no real reason to expect a turnaround between those two though the handicapper has raised the Evan Williams trained favourite by twelve pounds so what was already a difficult task has been made even harder.

Yala Enki ran third in the race last year and is a credit to himself, often there or thereabouts he has every chance of performing with credit though his mark strongly suggests a place is as good as his supporters could wish for.

SPRINGFIELD FOX usually goes from the front and has the look of a ''Dark Horse'', his level of form to this date has something of an uneven look to it however his latest effort over hurdles was promising and this could have been the plan all along. An interesting type who certainly catches the eye.

Big River can be lazy and doesn't always convince outside of his beloved Kelso, that being said his rating offers plenty of hope and he wouldn't want dismissing out of hand.

DOMINATEUR has two wins and two places from four visits to the course, this test of stamina is something of an unknown though. He looked in need of further than three miles when last seen and this could play right into his hands. Elsewhere the likes of Truckers Lodge, Lord Du Mensil and Didero Vallis are others worth considering in an open contest but my vote shall be split between those in bold below.

SPRINGFIELD FOX (WIN)

DOMINATEUR (E/W)

written by Chris Connolly