Colin Tizzard looks to be favouring the Welsh Grand National as Native River's big target for the season as the Cheltenham Gold Cup winner will start his season off at Chepstow bidding for his second triumph in the contest.
Three years ago the superstar landed the odds off top weight in Wales and since then Colin Tizzard has gone on to win the contest again with Elegant Escape in last year's renewal.
Native River, if coming out of the Welsh Grand National in good health, will again aim to go to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup having ran in the last three renewals with a strong third in 2017, winning the Grade One in 2018 and a staying on fourth last season.
Native River team mulling route back to Cheltenham Gold Cup >>> https://t.co/Y8g7OeKkoY pic.twitter.com/4qvVJLWJk2
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 8, 2019
The nine year old is not getting any younger and it could be the last time we see him at Prestbury park in the Gold Cup, however the first thing on the connections and trainers minds is another go at the Chepstow feature on December 27th.
(Credit At The Races) Part owner Garth Broom said: "Plan A is now looking like the Welsh National for Native River. We would like to give him a run over hurdles before, if one comes up suitable for him.
“I think the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree might come a bit too quick for him, and it is unlikely to be an option, but it hasn’t been totally ruled out.
“We know he likes the track at Chepstow and can carry a big weight in the soft ground they usually get there – and it fits in nicely timing-wise if we go to the Denman Chase at Newbury afterwards.”