Amigo can be punters’ friend in Coral Welsh Grand National

The big betting race of the day is the Coral Welsh Grand National (2.35,) and Amigo looks decent each-way value in a typically wide-open and ultra-competitive renewal.

The gelding won two chase contests in France before joining trainer David Pipe and ran well in last year’s race when seventh of 20 to Mountainous off a mark of 137.

Amigo raced in midfield until getting outpaced three from home and then plugged on at the one pace to be beaten 18 lengths.

It was a decent effort considering he was just six-years-old and Amigo looks to have done well physically over the past 12 months and strengthened up judged on his two runs this season.

In the first of those Amigo had made good headway from the rear and was in a close-up fourth and holding every chance when unseating his rider at the 17th in the Southern National at Fontwell.

The seven-year-old then ran a blinder last time out in the Coral Welsh Grand National Trial at this venue when looking all over the winner only to be collared close home and beaten 3/4 of a length by Rebecca’s Choice.

That run should have put the son of Ballingarry spot on for this, and Amigo looks nicely treated off a mark of 135 on the pick of his form.

Indeed, he is now 2lb lower than when competing in this contest last year and has just a featherweight of 10st 8lb to carry.

The Pipe family also have a decent record in the race, with David’s father winning the contest five times between 1988 and 1993, and the yard has been in fine form so far this season with 69 winners already on the board.

There are plenty of dangers, and former winner Monbeg Dude is a class act who commands the utmost respect.

The Michael Scudamore trained gelding won the race in 2012 off a mark of 128 and has shown improved form since and developed into a very useful staying chaser.

The nine-year-old ran a cracker to finish seventh of 40 to Pineau De Re in the Crabbies’ Grand National at Aintree back in April and has looked as good as ever in two starts this season.

After a fine second over 3m on reappearance at this venue, Monbeg Dude ran a stormer to finish fourth of 19 to Many Clouds in the Hennessy at Newbury last month off a mark of 146.

The son of Witness Box is now able to race off 2lb lower, and that makes Monbeg Dude look nicley treated if this race doesn’t come too soon after Newbury.