Andy Newton looks at the demands of the December marathon

The period between Christmas Day and New Year is always a bit of a strange one with people feeling a mixture of the Xmas Blues and excitement for the New Year.
However, to cheer racing fans up during that odd Festive week we can look forward to the Welsh Grand National, which is being staged this year on Sunday 27th December.
Run over 3m6f at Chepstow, this is the first of the main National races of the season, with the Irish, Scottish and Aintree versions to follow.
Being a National, it goes without saying, horses with proven s...