Mountainous back on National trail

Mountainous will have at least one prep run before thoughts turn to defending his crown in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow on December 27.

The nine-year-old, trained by Richard Lee, gamely held Hawkes Point by a head to lift the marathon contest last Christmas, but has not raced since falling at Valentine’s first time round in the Crabbie’s Grand National at Aintree in April.

There are suitable staying handicap chases for Mountainous at Haydock on November 22 and at Chepstow on December 6 before the takes aim at the main event.