Welsh National slog should suit Maktu right down to the ground

• Maktu has been aimed at the Coral Welsh National and conditions at Chepstow for today's rescheduled race look like favouring the nine-year-old Picture: Getty Images

Some great horses have won this down the years, with names like Corbiere, Burrough Hill Lad, Cool Ground, Carvill's Hill and Bindaree adorning the roll of honour

The horse for money prior to the abandonment of the original date over Christmas was the Pat Murphy-trained nine-year-old, and with conditions promising to suit him down to the ground, there is no reason to look elsewhere.

A decent racing weight is crucial for what is a real slog so he ticks that particular box, and capable claimer Michael Murphy takes a further 3lb off.

By the same sire as last year's winner Dream Alliance, he was staying on all the way to the line behind King Fontaine at Haydock in November, failing by just a head. Returning from his summer break, that was a fine trial as he was attempting to give 5lb to the winner. A sound jumper trained with this in mind and relatively unexposed over fences in the context of this race, victory would be a welcome return to big-race glory for the likeable Murphy, successful in 2001 with Supreme Glory.

Murphy has aimed Maktu at the race for the past two years. He has been careful not to rush the nine-year-old into the heat of the battle too early and reports everything to have gone smoothly in his preparation.

"Everything has gone well. He's fit, very well in himself and I won't be looking for excuses," said Murphy. "The ground is in his favour and he's got a nice weight. Over that sort of trip you are better off with 10st 6lb than 11st 6lb.

"I was always conscious of not rushing him but he's the right age now. That's why he has never had that many runs in his life, I've been saving him for this sort of race.

"This has been the plan for two years and it's just nice to be getting there as so much can go wrong. He looks the right type. He stays, he gallops and so far he's jumped pretty good. Like I said, I won't be looking for excuses if he gets beaten, that's for sure."

If You Whisper is one to follow in the Play Roulette At bluesq.com Handicap at Lingfield. The Mike Murphy-trained three-year-old was run down by a potentially very good one in Towering Storm at Kempton in November, doing pretty much everything right before being collared inside the last 100 yards.

Such was the impression the winner created, that looked a fair effort and so it proved as Murphy's gelding gave the form a solid look when scoring next time up at Southwell last month.

He still has plenty of scope for further improvement with just four runs to his name, and it should be noted the Kempton third Dunhoy has also won since.

The rest of Lingfield looks very tricky, but young George Chaloner has struck up a fine rapport with Richard Fahey's Mighty Clarets and the pair cannot be opposed in the FA Cup Betting At bluesq.com Classified Claiming Stakes.

Sacrosanctus gets the vote in the Holtye Handicap having caught the eye when fourth in a good little race last time behind a couple of other Dandy Nicholls runners, including prolific winner Even Stevens.

Nicky Henderson mounts a two-pronged attack on the 32Red Handicap Chase at Sandown - which is threatened by rain and must pass a 7.30 inspection - with narrow preference for the very smart French Opera. Last season's Grand Annual Challenge Cup runner-up has been brought along steadily and while he might just need the run, the 5lb claim of David Bass eases the burden at the top of the weights. Stablemate Dave's Dream is the obvious danger.