“He absolutely adores wet ground” – Trainer confident his Welsh National runner has a huge chance

Runners set off in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow

The winter weather has struck viciously since Christmas, with meetings falling victim up and down the country. Chepstow’s Welsh National meeting was a casualty over Christmas, with the rescheduled race set to take place on Saturday.

One of the biggest stamina tests of the season, the Welsh Grand National is raced over the 3m 6f distance. With 18 fences to negotiate and heavy ground in prospect, a horse with both stamina and heavy ground suitability is essential.

One trainer believes his horse has all the qualities of a Welsh National winner. He was bullish on his chances when speaking over the Christmas period and you can find out all the information below! You can also find our horse racing tips on site now.

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“It will never get too soft for him”

A three-time point winner, Springfield Fox absolutely loves the mud. Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, trainer Tom George said: “It will never get too soft for Springfield Fox. He absolutely adores wet ground“.

Winning a pair of those points on soft ground, both his rules wins thus far have come on heavy going too, so it’s not hard to see why George is so confident.

Unable to score over timber in his first three rules runs, he was immediately switched to fences in January 2020 and that paid dividends. He won his first two chasing starts in impressive fashion by margins of 12 and 17 lengths, gliding through the mud.

Those victories came over the three-mile distance, but this eight-year-old has stamina in abundance. He was aimed at the National Hunt Cup over 3m 6f at the Festival on his final start of last season, unseating his rider on that occasion. Going strongly at the time, it was cause for optimism that his future was at the marathon distances.

His run on seasonal return at Chepstow was a fine comeback run, given that was over hurdles. He remains on a dangerous mark back in a handicap chase, thoroughly unexposed in this sphere after just three starts over the larger obstacles.

On just his second start beyond three miles, you’d imagine significant improvement could be expected if he completes over this trip.