Moral Support is 5-1 favourite for the Stg. £75,000 Coral Eurobet Welsh National at Chepstow with the sponsors following an impressive victory in the Tote John Hughes Chase there today.
The eight-year-old was notching a four-timer since Charlie Mann bought him for a bargain 8,200 guineas out of Mouse Morris`s stable at Doncaster May Sales.
Mann was hoping to win a 'small race' with the half brother to top-class chaser Dorans Pride, but now the sky could be the limit.
'That performance was something else,' said the Upper Lambourn trainer, who declared Moral Support a probable for the Welsh National following his three-and-a-half length victory over Jocks Cross, with Edmond five lengths further adrift in third.
Noel Fehily lost the right to claim when winning on the 7-1 shot - the 65th success of his career and his 35th of the season.
'I`ve had an unbelievable season. I would have been glad to lose my claim at the end of the season,' he said.
A 4lb penalty for this success brings Moral Support`s Welsh National weight to 10st 4lb.
Venetia Williams, trainer of runner-up Jocks Cross, said: 'He`s run a smashing race. It was just that we came up against an improving horse and all credit to Charlie.
'We`ll see about coming back for the Welsh National. I have nothing else planned for him at the moment.'
The third Edmond and fourth Ambleside are also set to take their chance in the race.
Henry Daly, trainer of Edmond, said: 'That race was half-a-mile too short. I am perfectly happy with his performance. He`ll bid for a repeat win in the Welsh National all being well.'
Ambleside`s trainer Sarah Williams felt her horse lost the race at the start. 'He needs to be up there and jump off in the van. He was never going to win after losing ground at the start.
'I`m a bit disapppointed. The Welsh National has always been the plan and at least we don`t have to carry a penalty. I might fit blinkers on him or on the jockey (Jodie Mogford),' she joked.
Royal Tommy earned a quote of 16-1 from 25s for the Welsh National following his game victory in the Jack Brown Bookmaker Handicap Chase over three miles two and a half furlongs.
He has 9st 11lb, including a 4lb penalty, in the Chepstow marathon and showed plenty of the qualities that he will need on December 27.
Bob Buckler`s eight-year-old was making steady progress when he was hampered by the fall of leader Ragamuff at the fourth last.
Robert Thornton was able to manoeuvre the 5-1 shot round that horse and pick up Parahandy at the third last to score by five lengths with Zaggy Lane seven lengths further away. All three are in the Welsh National.
Buckler`s wife Nell said: 'We will seriously think about bringing him back here for the Welsh National. This was his trip and his ground, he`s an out and out stayer.'
Tony McCoy, re-routed from Sandown`s abandoned meeting, struck on Tensile for champion trainer Martin Pipe in the Keyline Builders Merchants Handicap.
The 7-4 favourite recovered from a mistake at the third last to beat Prokofiev by two lengths with Flagship Colm third.
Jolly Green Giant wore down Spring Grove on the run-in to spring a 20-1 surprise in the Severn Bridge Novices` Chase.
'That was a good performance as they think a lot of the second,' said Nick Walker, racing manager of owner Paul Green.
Permit holder Karen Marks had to go to 14,500 guineas to retain Sirinndi after the half-brother to dual-Derby and Prix de l`Arc Triomphe winner Sinndar had won thehorsesmouth.co.uk Novices` Selling Hurdle.
Pipe and McCoy completed a double when Iznogoud scraped home by a neck from Ibal in the concluding December Maiden Hurdle.
'That was a brilliant ride by McCoy. I think the horse should be renamed Tizgood,' said Pipe.
'He`s a nice horse for the future, a chaser in the making,' he added of the four-year-old who runs in the Cyborgo colours of County Stores (Somerset) Holdings Ltd.
