Early start for Coral Welsh Grand National

Officials at Chepstow are optimistic Saturday’s Coral Welsh Grand National will go ahead after being given the green light to move the feature event to a slot earlier in the afternoon.

The prestigious fixture had to be abandoned due to waterlogging when originally planned to take place on December 27, but was swiftly rescheduled.

While conditions at the Monmouthshire circuit remain extremely testing, clerk of the course Keith Ottesen is hopeful the meeting will take place after assessing the weather forecast and getting the go-ahead to move the main event to 1.45pm from its original start time of 3.25pm, helping to ensure the best possible ground is on offer.