Unlike the Grand National at Aintree in April or the Scottish National at Ayr a couple of weeks later. Or, indeed, the Irish Grand Grand National at Fairyhouse, the Coral Welsh National at Chepstow is normally run in a mudbath and that brings about a while fresh set of problems for punters trying to find the winner. This is a chase more suited to the plodder and there have been plenty of shocks down the years. Chepstow’s fences also tend to get in the way occasionally, though who can forget how Carvill’s Hill managed to carry a huge weight to victory in 1991, despite trying to take most obstacles by the roots!
Welsh National History and Trends
The race, contested over approximately 3m5f and featuring 22 fences, was first run in 1895. It was originally staged at Ely Racecourse in Cardiff but that track closed at the outbreak of World War II. After the war, it was transferred to Caerleon in 1948 but that only lasted one year. It’s been held at its present venue since 1949, being moved from Easter to it’s popular Christmas time slot in 1969. David Nicholson, later to become a successful NH trainer, rode three successive Welsh National winners between 1959 and 1961. Bindaree and Silver Birch are Welsh National winners who went on to take the Aintree National and the 2010 winner Synchronised later won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, though the race is not generally a pointer to other big steeplechases.
Every winner since the turn of the century had raced in the previous seven weeks – this is not a race for the undercooked! Nor is it a contest for the non-stayer with winning form over 3m or further an absolute necessity. Those aged nine or younger tend to fare best though Mountainous, who also won the race as a nine-year-old in 2013, bucked that trend 12 months ago. Kerry Lee’s stayer was the first to win the Coral Welsh National twice since Bonanza Boy in 1988. The latter’s trainer, Martin Pipe, won the race five times in the Eighties but his son David has yet to train the winner of Wales’ most valuable horse race.
There is a great free bet offer available at Welsh National sponsors Coral for new customers.
A £20 free bet token is available and the sign-up process at Coral via our link is straightforward and quick to complete. Just head to the registration form and fill out your details. When you have received your registration confirmation, credit your account with some betting funds. This process can be done through a variety of ways, from Visa and Mastercard credit cards to e-wallet services like Neteller, Paypal and Moneybookers for convenience.
Once you have deposited funds, with a value of £5 or more, it will be matched with a £20 free bet token. The free bet has to be used with seven days of being triggered, the activation of which has be within the first 14 days of opening the account. The free bet has to be used in full with the customer keeping winnings of the free bet but not retaining the stake. Terms and conditions apply, please see full detail directly at Coral.
Colin Tizzard has become the trainer to follow in this season’s big chases and his Native River is the general 4/1 favourite for the Welsh National having won the Hennessy at Newbury last time. He meets second CAROLE’S DESTRIER on identical terms and stamina over the longer trip at Chepstow won’t be a problem as he was second over 4m in last season’s National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
However, Neil Mulholland’s charge will also be suited by a step up in trip and should strip fitter today. He was closing at the finish at Newbury and has no right to be twice the odds (a general 8/1) of Native River on comparable form. Firebird Flyer makes plenty of each-way appeal at the 16/1 on betfair as he won the Midlands Grand National in the spring and will have come on a bundle for his second at Haydock.
Coral Welsh National Current Best Odds
Native River (4/1), Carole’s Destrier (8/1), Onenightinvienna (10/1), Bishops Road (14/1), Firebird Flyer, Viconte De Noyer, Unioniste, Vicente and Baie Des Iles (16/1), Emperors Choice, Theatre Guide and Mountainous (20/1), Houblon Des Obeaux, Milansbar, Harry Topper and Royale Knight (25/1), Goulanes, Raz Du Maree, Katkeau and Beg To Differ (33/1)
