Our best bets for the 2024 Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Welsh Grand National
Chepstow hosts its biggest day of the jump season as the traditional Welsh Grand National takes place. Here is my runner-by-runner guide for this year’s renewal along with some selections. Best of luck!
Welsh Grand National Runners Guide
Fontaine Collonges
Winner of the Rowland Meyrick Chase at Wetherby around this time last year and having disappointed in the Classic Chase at Warwick at the start of the year, she resumed winning ways after 10 months off at Haydock last month.
Her record, though, when racing in excess of 3m4f, reads 0U9 in three attempts. Represents a trainer who won this race 10 years ago, but she has enough to prove off this weight over a trip that will stretch her stamina limitations. Vulnerable.
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Iwilldoit
Won this two years ago when only a handful of finishers completed, and although he missed the whole of 2022 due to being on the sidelines, Sam Thomas’ charge made a triumphant return in the Classic Chase at Warwick last year off 147.
He then shaped well on his return later into the year when runner-up over hurdles before running well to finish third in last year's renewal of this race off a mark of 153.
The 11-year-old has run reasonably in both starts earlier this year and can find himself back on the same mark as when he last succeeded at Warwick. The booking of Callum Pritchard is appealing, too, who can claim a further 7lb.
His mount boasts a good record when fresh, he handles most ground, and it would come as no surprise to see him run well in a race that clearly suits him. Each-way player.
Monbeg Genius
Enjoyed a productive 2023 by winning twice at this course over 3m before running a cracker to finish third in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival.
He concluded the year with a fine third in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, and there were positives to take from his third at Haydock on his reappearance last time out.
Interestingly, he’s unbeaten in three starts at this venue and is well worth an experiment over a trip that could bring about improvement. Remains unexposed in this sphere and an interesting runner.
Galia Des Liteaux
Useful mare and always seems to run her race, though it was slightly disappointing she wasn’t able to sustain her position when fading to finish seventh in the Coral Gold Cup last time out. The move back up in trip could suit her better, given she finished a staying-on second in the Classic Chase over 3m5f at the beginning of the year.
I thought she ran a fine race in the Grand National, too, where she looked like taking a hand in the finish until her stamina gave out and she faded into eighth. Her solid jumping is her biggest asset, and off a workable mark, she could easily make the frame.
Stuzzikini
This Irish raider produced a career-best performance when winning the competitive Troytown Handicap Chase with a bit in hand last time out and should have more to come after just nine starts in this sphere.
The six-year-old will need to step up again to play a leading role in this tougher company, but he may well advance his form over this longer distance. It’s guesswork as to whether he will stay, but if he does, then he’s a leading contender.
Iron Bridge
Finished a distant but creditable second in this race 12 months ago off a 6lb higher mark and has run with credit in three of his four starts since, including on his return at Carlisle when third last month.
The eight-year-old looks nicely treated off a mark of 136 and could replicate last year’s effort, which would see him in the mix. Not one to write off.
Where It All Began
Will be making his first start this season, but it appears as though he’s been trained for the race, and he wasn’t disgraced when eighth in the Irish Grand National last time out. He had previously finished fourth in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival off a pound-higher mark and is open to further improvement.
The booking of Sean Bowen is an obvious positive as well, so despite the lack of a recent run, he’s still of interest. His dominant 15-length win in the Grand National Trial in February reads well.
Your Own Story
A solid yardstick with a good record in this sphere that reads eight seconds, a third, and a win from 13 starts.
He only found one too good when chasing home Bretney in the Scottish Borders National last time out over 4m and is only a pound higher than when keeping on to finish sixth in last season’s Scottish Grand National. I can see him running well.
The Newest One
Made a winning return at Cheltenham in October but was disappointing back at the same venue last time out and looks a doubtful stayer. Others are preferred.
Jubilee Express
Has improved with each start in this sphere, and having only been beaten a length over 3m4f at Lingfield on his penultimate outing, he made no mistake when last seen over the same trip at Haydock.
The seven-year-old has more to offer, but the lack of a recent run heading into this gruelling battle after only four chase starts is likely to catch him out. He’s underpriced.
Val Dancer
Been in great form in the last year with four wins and two placed efforts from his last six starts. I liked the way he dug deep to get the job done at Carlisle last time out, and given he’s only seven, with more to come, he could do even better with this extra emphasis on stamina. His record in this sphere also reads 3111331. Worth a second look at double-figure odds.
Amateur
Stays well and is only 3lb above his last winning mark, but he’s too inconsistent and could hardly be in worse form having pulled up in six of his last seven starts. Easily overlooked.
No Hubs No Hoobs
Completed a hat trick of wins earlier this year and looked badly in need of the run when fourth at Wincanton on his seasonal reappearance.
He looked very well suited to stepping up to 3m6f at Exeter on his penultimate outing when scoring by six lengths, and off a combined low weight and attractive mark, the eight-year-old could make a serious impact. He represents the Tizzards (Colin, not Joe) that has won this race twice in the last eight years. Player.
Atlanta Brave
Has his stamina to prove over this trip, but Kerry Lee knows what it takes to win this race, having won it nine years ago with Mountainous. The six-year-old has no weight on his back and has improvement to come after just six chase starts, but he does look out of his depth.
Evies Vladimir
Has failed to complete his last two starts but was going well before he fell last time out, and the seven-year-old represents a stable who must always be respected. It was too soon to say if he would have stayed the 3m5f trip before his departure earlier this month, but this is a deeper contest. Could go well at value odds.
Classic Concorde
Lots of experience worth multiple wins in this sphere and is unbeaten in two course starts. I’m not convinced this trip will suit him at this stage of his career, but I’ve seen worse outsiders in this contest.
Welsh Grand National Tips
Gordon Elliott’s STUZZIKINI (best price 14/1) won the Troytown in good style last time out, and although he has his stamina to prove, he’s fit and ticks a lot of the main trends. Jordan Gainford takes the ride, and he is an appealing proposition at double-figure odds.
YOUR OWN STORY (best price 20/1) has finished runner-up in four of his last five starts and remains well-handicapped on the pick of his form. Lucinda Russell’s charge ran well in last season’s Scottish version and could improve on that to make an impact in today’s event. He is another that ticks plenty of boxes.
I’ll also nominate GALIA DES LITEAUX (best price 6/1), whose assured jumping should see her flourish around this course. She failed to stay the extended trip at Aintree, but she’s a solid and consistent mare, and this trip looks ideal for her given how well she ran in the Classic Chase earlier this year. This isn’t a strong renewal, so she’s sure to be thereabouts at the business end, but I’ll take a win-only chance.
