It’s Coral Welsh Grand National day at Chepstow, with every race on the card live on Sky Sports Racing…
2.50 Chepstow – Monbeg Genius and Galia Des Liteaux headline Welsh National
All eyes will be on Chepstow for the Welsh Grand National and many will be hoping that goes the way of current favourite Monbeg Genius who was last seen finishing third at Haydock behind the reopposing Fontaine Collonges. He will strip much fitter for the run and could run a cracker off an unchanged mark.
Classy mare Galia Des Liteaux represents the Skeltons and is now 4lb below her Grand National eigth and could land the trainer and jockey duo with their first success in this race.
Irish runner Where It All Began & Sam Thomas’ Jubilee Express complete the shortlist in what is a competitive looking field.
1.40 Chepstow – French runner Nietzsche Has looks the one to beat
Marcel Rolland’s Nietzsche Has is having his final run before standing as a National Hunt stallion. He was an exciting prospect earlier in the year having notched up the three-timer which included beating Willy De Houelle & Sony Bill who have since gone to Champion Trainer Willie Mullins and his second in the Grade 1 Prix Cambaceres sets the standard here.
Opec seeks the four-timer having beaten stablemate Ambiente Amigo at Newbury and will ensure this is run at a strong gallop. Hott Fuss could hit the frame.
1.05 Chepstow – Exeter winner Lowry’s Bar bids to follow up
Micheal Nolan gets a good tune out of the progressive Lowry’s Bar who was impressive on chasing debut when finishing second behind Jagwar at Bangor-on-Dee. It was no surprise to see him build on that performance when winning at Exeter last time and he looks to take another step forward today for Phillip Hobbs and Johnson White.
Tom Lacey’s Nocte Volatus has been in terrrfic form lately and was denied the hat-trick at Ascot, chasing home the subsequent December Gold Cup winner, Gemirande. Nocte Volatus goes off an unchanged mark today and could take all the beating.
Venetia Williams has taken this race four times in the last 10 years and saddles Georges Saint who must be respected.
Best of the rest
In the 12.30 in South Wales, King William Rufus carries a 7lb penalty for his impressive victory at Ascot earlier this month, with Freddie Gordon retaining the ride for father Chris. Later at 2.10, Woodieflash and Major Fortune clash in watch looks a tasty affair. The lucky last at 3.25 sees three last-time-out winners go to post, namely King Of Tara, David’s Well and Dr T J Eckleburg.
At Wolverhampton, Havana Sky is on the hunt for a five-timer at 4.00, with Southbank perhaps the most likely to deny Hector Crouch’s mount that feat. Too Darn Hot’s half-brother Mallorca makes his debut for John and Thady Gosden at 5.30, alongside another nicely-bred horse in Hachiman (by Frankel out of Hareem Queen).
