Victor Dartnall reports Giles Cross to be on course to defend his crown in the Betfred National Trial at Haydock on Saturday.
The North Devon trainer was pleased with the 11-year-old's run in the Welsh National after a difficult preparation caused by the stable being closed for several weeks due to an outbreak of equine herpes.
Giles Cross had finished second in the two previous renewals of the Chepstow marathon and ran well for a long way until he got tired early in the straight before being pulled up.
"He's done a lot of work and I'm very happy with him," said Dartnall.
"He ran well at Chepstow. In all honesty he was probably a little short of work because of all our problems. He's done the work now and is in great form."
