KEEPING faith with Kinburn (2.05) might not be such a bad idea for this afternoon's near 3¾-mile Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

Backers of Howard Johnson's grey got their fingers badly burnt when he failed to justify his position at the head of the market on a frustrating visit to Hexham, where Naunton Brook inched ahead in a driving finish.

The frustration stemmed from Kinburn's numerous sloppy leaps, a series of minor errors which undoubtedly cost him dear because had he jumped with any sort of fluency, success would surely have followed.

Fortune favours the brave and I'll put my head on the block and predict that even though the seven-year-old is a risky proposition, his low weight and ability to stay the marathon trip could equate to a winning combination.

Ferdy Murphy, who took the major honours at Wetherby yesterday by landing the Rowland Meryick with Leading Man, returns to the course with his sights set on nabbing a big-race double via Show Me The River in the Castleford Chase.

Show Me The River (2.25) needs to put a dreadful Ludlow run behind him since he was ignominiously pulled up there on his latest outing in November.

It was clearly not the best preparation for today's prestigious and valuable race, however the seven-year-old probably just had a bad day at the office, a blip which is bound to happen from time-to-time.

Excuse that eminently forgettable performance and all previous lines of form suggest Show Me The River is potentially a "good thing" off bottom-weight for the £30,000 two-mile showpiece.

Patrick Haslam has his Middleham-based team in fine fettle, an excellent omen for punters prepared to invest on Etoile Russe (3.30) in the closing Handicap Hurdle.

Etoile Russe already boasts one wide-margin track and trip triumph, a win he's poised to supplement judged by his most recent effort when occupying fourth spot in Sandown's massively competitive William Hill Hurdle.

Twenty-four hours after the most important win of Keith Reveley's career with Ungaro at Kempton, the Lingdale handler could make more hay at the south London venue courtesy of Accordello (1.45) and Clouding Over (3.40), both expected to thrive in their respective races.

* Yesterday's nap selection, 5-2 Wetherby winner, Jimmy Bond, provided Christmas cheer for supporters of Janus (Colin Woods).