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
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