Excitement is in the air as Chepstow hosts the prestigious Coral Welsh Grand National, with every race featured live. Enthusiasts are eager to see if the current favorite, Monbeg Genius, can triumph after finishing third at Haydock behind Fontaine Collonges. With an improved fitness level, Monbeg Genius is poised to deliver a strong performance off his current rating.
Competing closely is the talented mare Galia Des Liteaux, who is 4lb lighter than her previous Grand National weight, potentially granting her and her connections a breakthrough victory in this significant race.
Irish contender Where It All Began and Jubilee Express from trainer Sam Thomas round out the promising entrants in a highly competitive field.
1.40 Chepstow – Nietzsche Has on the Brink of Glory
Marcel Rolland’s Nietzsche Has is set to make his final appearance before embarking on a career as a National Hunt stallion. Earlier this year, he impressed with three consecutive victories, including a notable win over contenders like Willy De Houelle and Sony Bill, who have since advanced under Champion Trainer Willie Mullins. His second-place finish in the Grade 1 Prix Cambaceres establishes him as a leading contender today.
Opec aims for a fourth straight win after defeating stablemate Ambiente Amigo at Newbury, promising an energetic pace. Look out for Hott Fuss, who could also contend for a top position.
1.05 Chepstow – Lowry’s Bar Seeks Continued Success
Micheal Nolan is expected to extract another strong performance from Lowry’s Bar, who showcased his talent with a solid finish at Bangor-on-Dee, followed by a victory at Exeter. He looks set to take further strides today under the guidance of Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White.
Nocte Volatus has been on a roll but narrowly missed a hat-trick at Ascot against the subsequent December Gold Cup winner, Gemirande. With no changes to his mark today, he stands a strong chance of victory.
Venetia Williams, a four-time winner of this race in the past decade, saddles Georges Saint, who deserves serious consideration.
Additional Insights
In the 12:30 race in South Wales, King William Rufus carries a 7lb penalty for his recent Ascot win, with Freddie Gordon maintaining the ride. Later, the 2:10 clash between Woodieflash and Major Fortune promises to be an exciting matchup. The final race of the day at 3:25 features three recent winners: King Of Tara, David’s Well, and Dr T J Eckleburg.
Over at Wolverhampton, Havana Sky is chasing a remarkable five-timer at 4:00, though Southbank could spoil the party for Hector Crouch’s horse. Additionally, Mallorca will make his debut for John and Thady Gosden at 5:30, alongside another promising entrant, Hachiman, by Frankel out of Hareem Queen.
