Welsh National preview: Spud chasing Chepstow glory for Fergal O'Brien and Paddy Brennan

Fergal O'Brien is hoping the Paddy Brennan factor can reap rewards on Chase The Spud in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow.

The nine-year-old ran in a delayed renewal of the race two seasons ago but was pulled up behind Mountainous.

Since then he has taken his form to a new level, winning his last two races, including the Midlands Grand National and a valuable chase at Haydock, form which has subsequently been franked by the runner-up,Robinsfirth.

"He has a bit more weight than I'd like, but it is what it is and we're looking forward to the race," said the in-form O'Brien.

"The horse seems in great form and a bit more rain wouldn't go amiss.

"He ran in the race a couple of years ago and was pulled up, but maybe he just wasn't ready for it at that stage and he didn't have Paddy on his back. As we've seen, nobody gets on with him like Paddy does."

One horse aimed at the race for a long time is Chepstow specialist Rock The Kasbah.

He has never been out of the first two in Wales, winning three times, but he will need to overcome the recent lack of winners from the usually prolific Philip Hobbs yard.

"His form at Chepstow seems to be so much better than elsewhere and I've no idea why," said the Minehead handler.

"He's won his novice chase there and he won well there in October.

"He's a horse that runs best when fresh so we did think about running again after the October win, but it made sense to wait for the Welsh National.

"Everything he does suggests he wants further. When he ran in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown as a novice he was only beaten about three lengths so he stayed on well there. The trip doesn't worry me."

Vicente will try to add the Chepstow marathon to his back-to-back wins in the Scottish National.

Those victories, and a good comeback run at Cheltenham, mean he will need to carry top weight to victory, which trainer Paul Nicholls admits will not be easy.

He told Betfair: "He's won the last two Scottish Grand Nationals, he ran very well recently at Cheltenham, only just failing on very soft ground, which he doesn't really like but he goes in it.

"The only downside is that he's got top weight and that is a lot to carry round Chepstow. But, he stays well, stamina is his forte and I'm hopeful of a big run."

Beware The Bear sprang to prominence for this race with a remarkable performance in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle.

Jockey Sean Bowen's saddle slipped early on, meaning he could not offer much assistance, and he looked booked for no better than fifth turning into the straight, only to sprout wings and win comfortably in the end.

He needs to overcome statistics, though, as trainer Nicky Henderson has never won a National of any description.

"It's brave, it's not my favourite race. The ground there can be horrible and can be very hard on them. Three and a half miles in Chepstow mud is tough, but he's in very good form and he's entitled to have a look at a race like this," Henderson told Unibet.

Asked about a Grand National bid at Aintree, Henderson added: "I think one day it might be (of interest). He's a big, scopey horse and he does jump well. We'll see, but this will be a year too soon, I'd imagine."

Raz De Maree was second 12 months ago to Native River and trainer Gavin Cromwell said of his 12-year-old: "He seems in great nick. Obviously he's another year older, but he seems to retain all his enthusiasm.

"The more rain the better for him. Hopefully he'll run a big race."