Welsh Grand Nationwide: Jamie Lynch’s information to the Chepstow showpiece | Racing Information

Jamie Lynch, our Senior Kinds Analyst, assesses the {qualifications} of ten high contenders for Friday’s inaugural Chepstow contest, stay on Sky Sports activities Racing.

The Coral Welsh Grand Nationwide, Friday at 2.50pm, is a race with a wealthy historical past, held within the nineteenth century, and which has stood the check of time. It nonetheless has nice energy of attraction, highlighted by this yr’s registrations.

The observe check at the beginning of December has been the focus of the race lately, however we do not know this time after that assembly was misplaced to Storm Darragh, and so, for you That will help you along with your homework, this is a abstract of the principle contenders for the Chepstow showpiece and a verdict (pre-statements) on the most effective wager.

Watch the Coral Welsh Grand Nationwide from Chepstow stay on Sky Sports activities Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) on Friday December 27.

Eviés Vladimir

Coach: GP Cromwell

An intriguing competitor from an Irish group with a superb observe file with its British raiders (21 winners over the past three seasons). This boy sat on the sidelines for 18 months after laying the foundations, however took off final season whereas promising better heights sooner or later, and stayed within the combine by falling to second-to-last at Porterstown throughout his return. He has hidden depths, however what is evident from his observe file is that he loves mud.

Fontaine Collanges

Miss V Williams

This runner got here again sturdy at Haydock (beating Monbeg Genius and firm) however that is common for her, on condition that the contemporary is often the most effective time to catch her, not like her second, darker begin which seen hanging round in fifth, fourth. and ninth in earlier seasons – a problematic sample for Chepstow. On the face of it, an 8 pound enhance to 148 for her demolition job at Haydock is in no way harsh, however historical past warns towards breeding, and she or he has gotten misplaced in giant fields prior to now .

Galia Des Liteaux

D Skelton

Her two marathon makes an attempt have been arguably her greatest races ever – second within the Traditional Chase (from the mark she returned to) and eighth within the Grand Nationwide whereas nonetheless within the warmth of the race. motion because the final one approaches. She hasn’t hit her greatest line to this point this season, however the floor hasn’t been as mushy as fits her and she or he regarded pretty much as good as new for a lot of the Coral Gold Cup. This race is tailored for her.

iron bridge

Jonjo and AJ O’Neill

It is best to give attention to the 17 he beat reasonably than the one he could not (34 lengths behind runaway winner Nassalam) when assessing his second on this yr’s race final, and he’s now 6 kilos lighter within the handicap, due to his onerous race. races reasonably than any lack of capability as such. His reappearance at Carlisle was not a ample check of endurance, so he’s wanting good for third place beneath 12st1lb behind Val Dancer, and every thing is in place for a giant run from him. He has gone just a little beneath the radar with the group additionally sending Monbeg Genius.

I’ll

S Thomas

He’s been there, carried out that and obtained a number of t-shirts. The 2021 Welsh nationwide hero, in addition to nearly profitable the race with out Nassalam final yr (simply behind Iron Bridge) when he was at most weight, coupled with a conditional of 7lbs then as right here. He shall be 12 in a couple of days, however his mileage is comparatively low and, though he has been out for a very long time, he has most likely remained contemporary for this, remembering that he gained the Traditional Chase for the primary time in 2023.

Jubilee Categorical

S Thomas

Least uncovered after simply ten runs, however he has already proven what he’s, a mudlark stuffed with endurance, highlighted by final season’s spotlight when he ran it 3½m not solely on heavy but in addition on Haydock heavy. No sooner had he crossed the end line that day than Sam Thomas most likely hatched a plan for the Welsh Nationwide, a check of correct endurance, and the dearth of preparation is not so off-putting with him given the steady’s first file which allowed Iwilldoit to win a Traditional Chase after a yr of absence.

Monbeg Genius

Jonjo and AJ O’Neill

What remains to be implanted in my thoughts is his third within the 2023 Ultima behind none apart from Corach Rambler and Fastorslow, a marvel he has didn’t win since, however no less than he began this higher season than he completed the earlier one by ending second (at Fontaine Collonges) at Haydock. Along with his instruments and expertise he may win simply, however trusting him to take action is one other matter, and the belief points prolong to endurance at Chepstow, his first ever marathon.

Snack meals

G Elliott

This competitor has the youth of simply six years previous at his facet, together with 5 winners within the final 20 years. He sprung one thing of a shock at Troytown at 20-1 final day out when the yard had 9 runners, however the issue for the Welsh Nationwide is much less the elevated check (forming like a full stayer) than rising the mark, as much as 9 kilos. .

That appears extreme at first look given the shape did not actually match the title at Navan, however what underpins his luck is the straightforward truth that he’s an unexposed horse from a superpower Irish steady.

The place all of it started

G Elliott

Winless in his first seven chases, however lastly flexing his endurance muscle groups, he made the distinction within the Grand Nationwide Trial at Punchestown (gained by 16 lengths on heavy floor) and possibly sacrificed his probability within the Irish Nationwide himself working within the Kim Muir at Cheltenham the place he was a superb fourth behind Inothewayurthinkin. There’s nonetheless a way of unfinished enterprise about him, particularly by way of his stamina, however it’s a giant ask coming right here for the primary time, although we’re coping with Gordon Elliott.

Your individual story

Miss Lucinda vs. Russell

You do not want a level to diagnose Your Personal Story’s drawback, a particular case of ‘seconditis’, having completed second on a minimum of eight events at hurdles, together with within the endurance trials at Punchestown in final Might and in Kelso final Might. Borders Nationwide, final time. He’ll be positive for a good distance, but when he cannot win them, how will he win this one?

JAMIE LYNCH VERDICT

As soon as bitten twice shy, they are saying, however I endured GALIA DES LITEAUX for the Coral Gold Cup and I feel losses will be recouped right here within the face of a extra appropriate check, the corporate rather less scorching, the journey for much longer and, above all, the terrain noticeably softer. If Dan Skelton may have designed a race for it, I am fairly certain it might look rather a lot like this.

Watch the Coral Welsh Grand Nationwide from Chepstow stay on Sky Sports activities Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519) on Friday December 27.