Coral Welsh Grand National Betting Preview
Hot on the heels of the Boxing Day bonanza of sporting action, the good times keep on rolling on Friday afternoon. The Darts World Championship is back at the Ally Pally, the Premier League lays on a double bill of fixtures, and, on the racing front, we have the biggest Welsh race of the year, bar none.
Taking place at Chepstow over the marathon trip of 3m6½f, the £150,000 Welsh Grand National places a firm demand on stamina – those with any doubts in the staying department need not apply.
Ahead of the 2024 edition, 22 runners remain in contention, suggesting we may come close to a maximum field of 20 on the day. Here, we look at the leading fancies for the big race, a selection of intriguing runners available to back at a double-figure price and pick out our best bets for the final Grand National of 2024.
The Favourites
The Jonjo & A J O’Neill-trained Monbeg Genius (5/1 with William Hill) tops the betting list in 2024. Now eight years old, this horse has been expected to land a big one ever since finishing third in a vintage renewal of the Ultima Handicap Chase in March 2023. That he hasn’t managed to follow in the hoofprints of his Cheltenham conquerors Corach Rambler and Fastorslow is largely down to a complete loss of form since. However, he showed a bit more on his recent return at Haydock and could be well handicapped off 144 if handling this step up in trip.
Next in line is the admirable Dan Skelton mare Galia Des Liteaux (6/1 with William Hill). In two outings over 3m5f+, the mount of Harry Skelton has posted a mighty display to finish second under top weight in the Classic Chase and finished eighth in the Grand National, where she led the field until the second last. 3lbs below her career-high rating, she looks set to go well.
You can never rule out the Irish in England, Wales, or anywhere else. Where It All Began (15/2 with BetMGM) leads the charge for the Emerald Isle and hails from the yard of three-time Aintree Grand National winner Gordon Elliott. An impressive winner of a Listed event at Punchestown last season, he fluffed his lines with a series of uncharacteristic jumping errors in the Irish Grand National but could go close off a mark of 134, granted a clear round.
Interesting Outsiders
Sporting the famous Hemmings Racing silks, Iron Bridge (12/1 with bet365) ran well to finish second in the 2023 edition. Whilst no match for the runaway winner Nassalam, he doesn’t have that rival to worry about in 2024 and is 6lb lower in the handicap. Fit and well following a solid comeback third at Carlisle, he has solid claims of hitting the frame for a second time.
Having won the 2021 edition off 140, and finished third off 153 in 2023, the eleven-year-old Iwilldoit (12/1 with Betfred) is handicapped to hit the frame off 147 this year. He didn’t show much last season and returns from a 314-day break here. However, that absence from the track may be a positive, as his past three efforts following breaks of 200+ days have resulted in two wins and a runners-up effort. 2022 champ The Two Amigos (40/1 with bet365) gets in off a 2lb lower mark but has subsequently had over a year and a half off the track and was pulled up on his return at Haydock in December.
Moving further down the list, the Venetia Williams-trained Chambard (33/1 with bet365) was well fancied for the 2023 edition but lost all chance when sprawling on landing at the 13th fence. He’s only 1lb higher this year but around three times the price.
Another of interest at huge odds is the Joe Tizzard-trained eight-year-old No Hubs No Hoobs (25/1 with BetWay). Falling firmly into the dour stayer category, he rattled off a heavy ground hattrick at the back end of last season and ran as well as good be expected on ground much too quick at Wincanton on his return.
Best Bets
Galia Des Liteaux is a horse we have had in mind for a marathon contest ever since her narrow second in the Classic Chase at Warwick. Fairly handicapped on that effort, she ran a decent race to finish seventh in the Coral Gold Cup last time and is fancied to stay on best of all for the Skeltons.
For an each-way punt, we can’t resist a small-stakes play on No Hubs No Hoobs. He may need the heavens to open to be seen at his absolute best (far from unusual in Wales at this time of year), but he looks just the type of relentless galloper who should enjoy this challenge.
- Recommended Bet - Galia Des Liteaux to win @ 6/1 with William Hill
- Recommended Bet - No Hubs No Hoobs each way @ 25/1 with Betway
Top 20 Betting Offers
|
18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
|
New UK Customers sign up with code B20G20. Deposit and bet £20 or more at min odds of 1/2 (1.5). Receive a £20 free bet. Full Terms Apply. 18+ begambleaware |
|||||
|
New players. Choose bonus at signup. Wager bonus 10x. Any withdrawals void bonus. Valid 30 days. Deposit used 1st. Odds, bet & payment limits. T&Cs apply. 18+. |
|||||
|
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org. |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
New customers only. Applies to the 1st deposit using code WELCOME7. Min deposit £20. Min qualifying bet £20 at odds 1/1 (2.0). Cash‑out not permitted. Bonus Bets issued as 1×£7 BB (any sport excl. Virtuals), followed by 1×£7 BB (Horse Racing, SP/EW excluded) and 1×£7 BB (Football ACCA, min 4 selections, min odds 4.0). Bonus Bet stake not returned. Bonus Bets valid 5 days from credit. Max winnings £500 / £500 / £100 per Bonus Bet. One per customer. General T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org | 18+ |
|||||
|
New customers online only. Bet a min £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 Free Sports Bet within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to bet slip. Voided/non-runner bets will not qualify; subsequent bet will be qualifying bet. 7-day expiry. 18+. One per customer. Selected customers only. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. |
|||||
|
18+, UK only. Deposit and place a £10 cash bet at single or accumulated odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater and we will give you £10 in free bets. Free bets credited as 4 x £5 Void or 'Draw No Bet' wagers do not qualify for this promotion. Available once per customer. Free bets will be credited at bet settlement and will expire 7 days after being credited. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New UK+ROI Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 6 x £5 free bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days, stake not returned). Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
New customers only. Min £20 bet at odds 2.00+. Max reward: One £10 Free Bet and two £5 Combo Free Bets. £10 Free Bet min odds 1/1 (2.00). £5 Combo Free Bets min odds 2/1 (3.0). Free Bets expire 7 days after credit. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. |
|||||
|
*New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. Virtuals) 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
|
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. virtuals) at 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accepted in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs + deposit exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. GambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
|
18+ | GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit & Stake £10 on slots to get 100 x £0.20 Free Spins on Sweet Bonanza with 10x wagering on free spins. Debit card or instant bank transfer only. Claim within 7 days. Spins expire within 48 hours. Geographical restrictions and T&Cs apply. #AD |
|||||
|
Place a £10 fixed odds Outright winner cash bet on a nation to win the World Cup. Once the bet is placed, receive 1 x free £10 fixed odds bet, 1 x free £10 football Total Goals spread bet and 1 x free £10 football Supremacy spread bet. Then receive a further free £10 fixed odds bet for every match your chosen nation wins during the World Cup, to a maximum of 7 wins. Offer expires at 9pm on Tues 23rd June 2026. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
18+| GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit and Bet £10+ on sports at min odds of 2.0+ (1/1) for £30 in Free Bets within 7 days. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&C’s apply.#AD |
|||||
|
New sportsbook customers only. Place £10 first bet at min odds 1/2 to get £20 Free Bet. Stake not returned. Free Bet valid 7 days, min odds 1/2. Settled bets only. One welcome offer per customer (not with 50% Net Loss Refund). 18+. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
#AD | Welcome bonus for new players only | Maximum bonus is 100% up to £100 | Min. deposit is £10 | No max cash out | Wagering is 40x bonus | Maximum bet with an active bonus is £5 | Eligibility is restricted for suspected abuse | Skrill & Neteller deposits excluded for welcome bonus | Cashback when offered, applies to deposits where no bonus is included | Cashback is cash with no restrictions | T&C's apply |Free bet: Min odds: 2.0 - Free bet value will be deducted from free bet winnings | 18+ | BeGambleAware.org | Gambling is addictive, please gamble responsibly! |
|||||
|
New customers only. Min £20 bet at odds 2.00+. Max reward: One £10 Free Bet and two £5 Combo Free Bets. £10 Free Bet min odds 1/1 (2.00). £5 Combo Free Bets min odds 2/1 (3.0). Free Bets expire 7 days after credit. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. |
