THEY'LL be coming from all points of the compass for the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow Racecourse two days after Christmas.

And that's just the horses . . .!

Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell, whose stables near Perth are more than 400 miles from the racecourse, has confirmed that the 2004 runner-up Strong Resolve will bid to go one better this year.

The horse, which fell in the Grand National in April, will be seen over Aintree's spruce fences again this Sunday when he goes for the Becher Chase.

The trainer will then decide whether his ultimate target is the Grand National again or the Scottish National, but Chepstow on December 27 is a definite date in the horse's racing diary.

While Strong Resolve ran brilliantly to come second last year, the early favourite for this year's race when the entries are announced in under a fortnight is likely to be One Knight, from the Minehead yard of in-form trainer Philip Hobbs.

His slightly injury-prone horse is hugely talented. He won the Rehearsal Chase at Chepstow one year ago, but picked up an injury which has ruled him out since.

However, he is set to make his seasonal debut this time around in the Welsh National.

The next racing at Chepstow is on Wednesday November 23. The first race on is currently scheduled for 1.05pm. Meantime, tickets are on sale for Coral Welsh National day on Tuesday December 27, both at the racecourse and on the racecourse's website, www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk Prices are £25 and £18 respectively for the premier and grandstand and paddock enclosures.