Timeform Daily: Saturday, Chepstow 13:45, Welsh National

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Timeform /
07 January 2011 /
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Chepstow Racecourse

“Synchronised rates the most likely winner following an eye-catching run over hurdles last month.”

Timeform go through the field for the Welsh National…

Silver By Nature is a front runner who improved in leaps and bounds last term granted a stiffer test of stamina, finding only Dream Alliance too good in this. He had excuses in the Hennessy on his return, and this has always been the long-term target.

Dream Alliance needs the mud and is often let down by his jumping, but it all came together when beating Silver By Nature in this race last season. He has been pulled up all three starts since.

Synchronised did well over fences last season, winning three times in the mud, including in the Midlands National. He has not been given a hard time both runs back over hurdles, and has strong claims, with this test ideal for him.

Watamu Bay has a good strike rate, winning small-field novice chases on his last two starts. He is less exposed than most and likely to be suited by the longer trip, but his mark looks on the stiff side.

Exmoor Ranger‘s improved jumping helped him reach new heights over fences in 2009/10, and he again kept the mistakes to a minimum when third to Midnight Chase at Cheltenham. Others make more appeal at the weight, however.

Eric’s Charm is a front runner who was as good as ever last season despite his advancing years, winning at Sandown and Newbury. The trip is not a problem, but he hasn’t offered much this term. First preference 2.05 Sandown.

Arbor Supreme put up his best effort when runner-up to Stewarts House over 21f at Leopardstown in February before unseating in the Grand National. He has won over this far but would ideally have shown a bit more on his return.

Dance Island took very well to fences last season, rounding things off with a second in a Grade 2 at Aintree. The handicapper hasn’t made things easy for him, but he put up a fair effort at Haydock last time and remains unexposed.

Ballyfoy is a useful handicap chaser who missed all of 2008/9, but returned to win twice on heavy at Lingfield last winter. He faced an insufficient stamina test on reappearance over hurdles, and this is much more suitable.

Maktu represents the same stable as 2001 winner Supreme Glory and has developed into a useful stayer in his own right, winning twice late last season. He was a good second on return and revels in the mud.

Ballyfitz has often been let down by his jumping in big-field handicaps, but did well to finish fifth in this last term off a 10 lb higher mark. He ran quite well back over hurdles last time, and cheekpieces go on now.

I’moncloudnine has a decent strike rate over fences, winning five times, most recently over 3m at Huntingdon a year ago. He was still going well when unseating at the Canal Turn in the Becher Chase last time, but is not a certain stayer.

Giles Cross is a dual hurdles winner who was always likely to make a better chaser. Indeed, he appealed as the type to progress further in staying handicaps this season before folding tamely on return.

Royal Rosa hasn’t won in 4 years and is inconsistent, but put up one of his better efforts with headgear back on when second to Hello Bud in the Becher Chase last time. He finds himself 7 lb higher for that, though.

Magic Sky was twice successful over jumps last season at up to 2¾m, and has been as good over fences this autumn, twice making the frame at Aintree. It’s doubtful he’ll be able to see this test out, however.

Bench Warrent is a front-running staying hurdler who made a successful chase debut at Market Rasen last season. He returned to handicap company for his reappearance but was on the retreat when falling two out.

Flight Leader was a smart hurdler in his younger days, but has had problems and not got anywhere near that level over fences, making very little impact both starts this season.

Theatre Dance is a winning hurdler who made up into a useful chaser in 2008/9. He spent a year on the sidelines prior to shaping better than the result both starts this season, but has plenty to prove here all the same.

Dashing George finished second in a good handicap at Limerick in 2009 for his previous stable but has generally struggled since. Stamina a big doubt in this race having seemingly failed to stay 3¼m last weekend.

Old Benny is very much a stayer, winning 4m NH Chase at Cheltenham and fourth in the Scottish National in spring 2008. He has been lightly raced since and offered little encouragement on return, going in snatches.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Synchronised
2. Maktu
3. Silver By Nature

Timeform View: There will hardly be a more gruelling test all season, which will play into the hands of proven mudlarks Silver By Nature and Maktu. Ballyfitz also makes some appeal off a reduced mark despite his sketchy jumping, but Synchronised rates the most likely winner following an eye-catching run over hurdles last month.

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Timeform Daily: Saturday, Chepstow 13:45, Welsh National