The historic Welsh Grand National is the biggest day in Chepstow Racecourse’s calendar and is the pride of Welsh racing. This fixture attracts visitors in their thousands and some of the finest long-distance chasers to the premier racecourse in Wales.
Here is your runner-by-runner guide to this year’s competitors:
Paint The Dream (David Brace)
Showed nothing at Cheltenham in a recent veteran’s chase and you have to wonder whether the old sparkle is still there?
Fontaine Collonges (Venetia Williams)
The mare won convincingly at Haydock Park and we know that she’ll definitely stay the trip. Hails from an in form stable too.
Iwilldoit (Sam Thomas)
Veteran performer who landed this race in 2021 and managed to finish a distant third last year. Stays all day but needs to defy a long layoff.
Chambard (Venetia Williams)
Won the Becher Chase in December 2023 but hasn’t looked like the same horse since. Hard to recommend off his latest Cheltenham effort.
Monbeg Genius (Jonjo O’Neill)
Ran a cracker in last season’s Ultima at the Festival and he’s actually an unbeaten horse at Chepstow. One for the short list.
Galia Des Liteaux (Dan Skelton)
Eighth in last year’s Aintree Grand National and seventh in the recent Coral Gold Cup. Looks a tad too short in the betting for what he’s actually achieved.
Stuzzikini (Gordon Elliott)
Well raced six-year-old who was last seen taking the Troytown Handicap at Navan. He will need to step up again.
Iron Bridge (Jonjo O’Neil)
Second in this race last year and will be much better suited by the underfoot conditions.
Where It All Began (Gordon Elliott)
Landed the Punchestown Grand National Trial last term and has run two solid races over marathon trips since.
Your Own Story (Lucinda Russell)
Well fancied for last season’s Scottish Grand National and only found Bretney too good for him in the recent Borders National.
The Newest One (Nigel Twiston-Davies)
Runs plenty of decent races over staying trips but places more often than not.
Jubilee Express (Sam Thomas)
An exciting looking young chaser for a Welsh trainer and owner. Expect a big run.
Val Dancer (Mel Rowley)
Had Iron Bridge in behind at Carlisle in November but even more improvement is required to take home the trophy.
Amateur (J & R Flint)
Quirky veteran who either puts it all in or downs tools. Which Amateur turns up today?
The Two Amigos (Nicky Martin)
Successful in this race in 2022 but has been beset by problems since. Risky proposition.
No Hubs No Hoobs (Joe Tizzard)
A horse on the up and will not be caught wanting for a lack of stamina. A possible each-way play.
Atlanta Brave (Kerry Lee)
Stamina is a bit of an unknown with this runner but the trainer has a long successful association with this race.
Evies Vladimir (Gavin Cromwell)
Hard to assess due to several incomplete rounds of late. However Cromwell does have form in this event i.e – Raz De Maree.
Imperial Alex (Tom Lacey)
Uncharted territory for this seven-year-old and desperately out of form on his last two outings.
Classic Concorde (David Brace)
Experienced multiple winning chaser but this distance will test his veteran legs.
Reserves: Not Sure & Gold Clermont
Prediction:
- Fontaine Collonges
- Monbeg Genius
- Jubilee Express
