DOUR stayer Native River will return to Chepstow next month in a bid to land his second Welsh National.
Colin Tizzard’s nine-year-old hasn’t been seen on the track since finishing fourth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last March.
One of the stars of the staying scene over the last few seasons, the crowd favourite will return to handicap company for the first time since winning the stamina-sapping slog three years ago.
His part-owner Garth Broom said: “Plan A is now looking like the Welsh National for Native River. We would like to give him a run over hurdles before, if one comes up suitable for him.
“I think the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree might come a bit too quick for him, and it is unlikely to be an option, but it hasn’t been totally ruled out.
“We know he likes the track at Chepstow and can carry a big weight in the soft ground they usually get there – and it fits in nicely timing-wise if we go to the Denman Chase at Newbury afterwards.”
Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard said: “He’ll have a crack at the Welsh National.
“The idea is to get him back for another Gold Cup as we know the race suits him so well.”
