Mudlark Giles Cross in Welsh National bid (From Dorset Echo)

Mudlark Giles Cross in Welsh National bid

9:30am Saturday 5th January 2013 in Sport

VICTOR Dartnall hopes to make it third-time lucky for Giles Cross in the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow today.

Runner-up to Synchronised two years ago, the 11-year-old confirmed mudlark, who is owned by Dorchester’s Kay Birchenough, was also second to Le Beau Bai last season.

However, an outbreak of equine herpes at Dartnall’s Barnstaple yard in early November saw the North Devon stable shut down for around six weeks, with six equine fatalities.

Dartnall said: “He seems very well. He went well on Tuesday in his final piece of work and I’m very happy with him. He hasn’t had a run this year. We’ve come out of a dreadful situation, which is a worry.

“The horses haven’t been running consistently, but he seems very well and everything should suit him at Chepstow.

“We moved him away during the height of the equine herpes outbreak we had and he escaped it. Very often, horses will need a run to cope with the awful ground we are getting at the moment.

“Having said that, it’s the ground Giles Cross loves. He’s hopeless on anything else so let’s keep our fingers crossed.”