A DETERIORATION in the weather on the run to Christmas would be welcome news for Richard Lee as he considers another Coral Welsh National bid for Le Beau Bai.

The staying chase regular went off the favourite for Chepstow’s feature two years ago, when he was third behind Dream Alliance, and managed other respectable placed efforts last season in the Classic Chase and the Haydock Grand National Trial.

He had tumbled down the handicap due to some less impressive efforts, but managed a win at the Welsh track last weekend when slogging through the mud ahead of Sona Sasta.

However, Le Beau Bai will need luck to slip into the Welsh National field as he is currently number 63 in the weights.

“We will certainly keep him in the race and just hope he gets in,” said Lee.

“We were absolutely delighted with him last weekend and he came out of the race absolutely great.

“It was the first time since the Welsh National two years ago that he had had properly heavy ground.

“That’s the thing that makes it difficult with him – he must have the ground.

“So let’s just hope it keeps raining before then.”

CHRIS WRIGHT'S NAP: Treehouse (3.20pm Hexham).