Victor Dartnall has no worries with the ground for Giles Cross at Chepstow
Victor Dartnall is hoping Giles Cross can overcome the lack of a prep when he bids for the Welsh National at Chepstow.
Last Updated: 01/01/13 12:55pm
The 11-year-old has been runner-up in the last two renewals of the valuable handicap chase and had made one previous racecourse appearance the same season on both occasions.
However, with Dartnall's North Devon stables having closed for a few weeks due to an outbreak of equine herpes, Giles Cross goes straight to Chepstow for his first run of the campaign.
Dartnall believes that will not he a handicap as he has got plenty of work into his prolific stayer, who has won first time out in the past.
"He seems very well," said the trainer.
"It would have been great for him to have had a prep run - he hasn't had one, but
he's had a lot of work.
"It should be his ground."Jadanli is another who enjoys plenty of cut in the ground and his trainer Paul Gilligan has had this race in mind for some time.
Winner of the Grade One Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in 2010, Jadanli has had three runs in the last couple of months on his return since he finished third in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran last January.
"That's the plan, we intend going. Our horse will love the ground. I've been setting him aside all year for this race and hopefully now he might get into the money there," said the Athenry handler.
"I'm happy with him and he should run well.
"At the moment Alain Cawley rides him, all being well. He's doing well across the water and he's local to me here at home."