Halcon bids for Welsh National repeat

Halcon Genelardais will have to overcome 19 rivals as well as top weight of 11st 12lb when he bids to land back-to-back victories in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow tomorrow.

The seven-year-old is burdened with 9lb more to carry than when he defeated Mon Mome by four lengths 12 months ago.

He is reported to be in top shape by his trainer Alan King who was pleased with his seasonal reappearance when he finished third in a valuable event over hurdles at Haydock.

“He’s in really good form but he is carrying a lot of weight, 11st 12lb,” said King.

“I think we have to go back to Carvill’s Hill to find one who won with such a weight.

“But his preparation has gone really well, we were happy with him when he finished third at Haydock over hurdles and this has always been his target.

“I hope he’ll run a massive race,” the trainer told Sky Sports News.

All the major contenders have stood their ground, including the Paul Nicholls-trained quartet, Gungadu, Geeveem, L’Aventure and Cornish Sett.

The Philip Hobbs-trained Dream Alliance, Robert Alner’s Miko De Beauchene and the David Pipe trio of Over The Creek, Dom D’Orgeval and Not Left Yet all run.