'I'm sure he retains his ability' - Potters Corner aiming to get back on track

Friday: 2.10 Chepstow
Professor Caroline Tisdall Supports Heroic Jumpers Veterans' Handicap Chase | 2m7½f | 10yo+ | ITV4/Sky

Welsh National hero Potters Corner returns to Chepstow looking to banish the memories of a disappointing last campaign.

In 2019, Potters Corner became the first home winner of the Welsh National for more than half a century, but he failed to fire when lightly raced last season including when pulled up in the Grand National.

Trainer Christian Williams is hoping to get his stable star back on track here, although he was not anticipating ground conditions to be quite as dry.

"We've had so much rain in Wales you'd never believe the ground had dried out to good, but we're looking forward to running him and hopefully the ground will be safe," he said.

"The softer the better for him but he seems really well and the handicapper looks to have given him a chance. He'll love the track as he won over hurdles there as well as the Welsh National."

With Aintree the priority last season, Williams side-stepped the Welsh National with Potters Corner but the race is back on the agenda this time.

"We had a terrible run with him last season. He ran nicely first time out in a cross-country race, but we couldn't get him right after that," said the trainer. "I'm sure he retains his ability and we'll look at the cross-country races and hope to go back for the Welsh National."

Christian Williams is aiming to return to the Welsh National with stable star Potters CornerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Fellow Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis switches Geordie Des Champs, winner of two Ffos Las handicap hurdles in the spring, back to fences for a first chase start in almost three years.

"He seems in good form and although he's not run over fences for a while, he's been schooling well at home," she said. "He's probably on quite a nice mark and taking on older horses in a veterans' chase will suit him. He had a tendon injury a few years ago and missed a couple of seasons, but we seem to have got him back."

Owner Caroline Tisdall is aiming to win the race she sponsors again with Vieux Lion Rouge, who was successful two years ago.

Read more of Friday's previews

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2.25 Newmarket: Will a 1,000 Guineas contender emerge in wide-open Oh So Sharp Stakes?

2.45 Chepstow: Paso Doble bids to continue outstanding Nicholls record in Persian War

3.00 Newmarket: 'We've waited for it' - which connections have been eyeing a Group 2 prize?

3.35 Newmarket: Guineas favourite Inspiral bids to extend unbeaten record in Fillies' Mile

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