Welsh National: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

Teaforthree (right) is taken to land the Welsh National.

Timeform analyse the field for the rearranged Welsh National, staged over three miles and five furlongs at Chepstow...

Across The Bay was a useful hurdler on his day and better still over fences this term, taking events at Kelso (3m) and Carlisle (3m) before a creditable second in an Aintree listed race. Fitted with cheekpieces now.

Giles Cross is a bold-jumping front runner who has finished second in the last 2 runnings of this race. Landed a valuable Haydock handicap in February, but not seen since pulling up in the Grand National.

Teaforthree is a course-winning mud lover who took the 4-miler at the 2012 Festival. Jumped well and not unduly punished when sixth in the Hennessy early last month and looks ideally suited by this sort of test.

Michel Le Bon was an impressive winner of a 3m Grade 2 on chase bow in 2009. Had his problems since, but won with something to spare over hurdles in April and very good second in a valuable Wincanton handicap this term.

Soll won 2m Beginners Chase at Down Royal for Willie Mullins last February. Brought down in 4-miler at Cheltenham but shaped with promise starting out for new yard when eighth in the Hennessy 5 weeks ago.

Universal Soldier was a useful hurdler and found good opening over fences at Towcester last January. Not disgraced in 4-miler at Festival and very good second in 3m handicap at Haydock in November. Blinkers fitted now.

Alfie Spinner matched useful hurdles form over the larger obstacles last season and fine return when third to Roberto Goldback at Ascot (3m). Unseated early in Hennessy since. 1st Preference 3:40 Sandown.

Master Overseer is a thorough stayer who bounced back from couple of lesser efforts to land Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March and matched that to get the better of Quartz de Thaix at Cheltenham (25f) last month.

Viking Blond started well over fences last term before losing his way, but followed up better effort over hurdles in October with fine third behind Monbeg Dude at Cheltenham (27f) in blinkers/tongue tie.

Jadanli landed Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in 2010. Hasn't scaled similar heights since, including in 3 starts this term, though this stamina test may suit.

Mon Mome was a well-beaten favourite in 2008 renewal of this race who has largely gone backwards since landing following year's Grand National, with little promise of a revival in 2 starts this term.

Triggerman took well to chasing in 2010/11, winning twice and signing off with good fourth in bet365 Gold Cup. Shaped well after 19 months off in 3m event at Cheltenham in November and this should tell us more.

Monbeg Dude was an Irish point winner who made winning start over fences at Lingfield (3m) last November and bounced back to form when taking valuable 27f 16-runner handicap at Cheltenham in November. Worth a look.

Harouet is an error-prone chaser who won twice at Ffos Las (3m) earlier this year. Better than ever when successful at Carlisle (3m) in November, but wasn't on a going day at Kelso (4m) 5 weeks later.

Sona Sasta has a good record fresh and back to best when winning 7-runner 3m event here under this amateur rider on return last month. Picked up a 4 lb penalty for that, but big player if in the same mood.

Our Island was a hurdles winner who had some pretty useful form to his name over fences last season and bounced back to form in a visor when third to Arbor Supreme in the Devon Marathon last month.

Incentivise is a thorough stayer who has won at Bangor (3m) and Fontwell (3m) already this term. Comes here on the back of a lacklustre display at Ffos Las, though, which tempers enthusiasm.

Arbor Supreme was a smart chaser for Willie Mullins in his prime and ran his best race for long time when winning 10-runner 4m Devon Marathon last time. Hard to catch right, though, and well out of handicap here.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Teaforthree
2. Viking Blond
3. Universal Soldier

Timeform Verdict: Teaforthree has long been regarded an ideal type for this race and he can become the first Welsh-trained winner of the event since 1965. Viking Blond bombed when strongly fancied for the 2011 renewal, but he's given a chance to redeem himself after a good effort last time, while Universal Soldier is also respected.

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