Le Beau Bai is bang on target for the Coral Welsh National on December 28 at Chepstow after appearing among 59 possibles at the latest entry stage.
A total of 23 were taking out of the marathon event, but trainer Richard Lee reports his six-year-old to be on great terms with himself after defying 11st 12lb in desperate conditions on his last start to win by 21 lengths.
He has been raised 9lb by the handicapper, but escapes with just a 4lb penalty and Lee said: "Everything's fine with him at the moment. We'll be hoping for a wet Christmas rather than a white one but we can't organise the weather."
The handler continued: "He came out of his last race amazingly well and he's on target. You wouldn't have known the next day that he'd been to the races. The handicapper seems to think he is improving quickly as he's put him up 9lb, but he can race off his old mark just with the penalty so we are well-in.
"Ollie Greenall will keep the ride. I don't imagine he'll be in a rush to get off him anyway and his father (Lord Daresbury) owns a small share in him."
All the other major contenders stood their ground including the Willie Mullins pair of Beroni and Our Monty. Paul Nicholls has left in The Tother One, What A Friend, Nozic and My Will among others, while former winner Miko De Beauchene remains for Venetia Williams.
Tim Vaughan has left in Atouchbetweenacara (my fancy) after his run at Cheltenham along with Flintoff.
Cappa Bleu remains for Evan Williams, Hello Bud and Ballyfitz head Nigel Twiston-Davies' team while Grand National hero Mon Mome heads the weights, just ahead of former winner Halcon Genelardais.
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