RACECOURSE chiefs are keeping fingers crossed the rescheduled Coral Welsh Grand National this Saturday (January 6) after the Christmas showcase was washed out for the fourth time in eight years last week.

Twenty five horses are confirmed for Wales’ richest race, with Vicente topping the weights.

Ross-on-Wye trainer Michael Scudamore is hoping to repeat his 2013 success when he saddled Monbeg Dude to victory with Mysteree

The 10-year-old showed he relishes testing conditions when winning the Eider Chase at Newcastle in February.

"He’s in great form. Usually for the Welsh Grand National you’re going to get very heavy ground, and this year it looks like it’s going to be no different," he said.

"By the looks of things he’s going to take on Chase The Spud again, but on slightly better terms for us this time. The form looks very strong, so hopefully he can turn the tide again."

Chepstow clerk of the course Keith Ottesen is hopeful Wales’ oldest race will beat the weather at the second attempt.

"The problem we had on December 27 was 40 millimetres of rain in one episode followed by another 20 millimetres of rain. We’ll obviously be watching the forecast, but at the moment it’s looking like it will be drier later in the week and hopefully we’ll be OK," he said.

"We’re not forecast the same volume of rain this week and at this stage it’s all systems go."

Vicente, winner of the last two renewals of the Scottish Grand National, will shoulder the welter burden of 11st 12lb if taking up his entry. The nine-year-old is one of two possible runners for Paul Nicholls along with Silsol (11st 8lb).

Others towards the top of the field include the Philip Hobbs-trained Rock The Kasbah (11st 10lb) and Fergal O’Brien’s runaway Haydock victor Chase The Spud (11st 9lb). is headed by Nicky Henderson’s Beware The Bear (11st 6lb) at 8/1, while other fancied horses include the David Dennis-trained Final Nudge (11st 6lb) and Jack Barber’s Ask The Weatherman (10st 13lb).

The Irish challenge is headed by last year’s runner-up Raz De Maree (11st 1lb), trained by Gavin Cromwell.

Kerry Lee, who won the Welsh Grand National with Mountainous two years ago, is looking forward to saddling both Bishops Road (11st 5lb) and Alfie Spinner (10st 7lb).

Gates open at 10.25am on Saturday with the first race off at 12.25am. The big race worth £150,000 in prize money is at 2.05pm.