The Welsh Grand National traditionally takes place on the day after Boxing Day (Wednesday 27 December), and it is often one of the most gruelling tests of the season with horses required to see out 3 miles 5½ furlongs on ground that usually ranges from anywhere between testing and atrocious. The race’s most famous winners include Earth Summit and Corbiere, who also won the Grand National, whilst Synchronised and Master Oats went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Welsh Grand National 2017 10-Year-Trends
- Winners have been rated between 128 and 155
- 80% of the last 10 winners have been burdened with less than 11-0
- 50% of the last 10 winners have been aged 8
- Native River was the shortest-priced winner at 11/4
- Mountainous was the longest-priced winner at 20/1
Welsh Grand National 2017 Horse Racing Preview
Beware The Bear
Trainer Nicky Henderson has always considered him to be a National Horse and the way he stayed on late to win at Newcastle over 3-miles last time certainly suggested he should stay this trip. However, his 5 wins (2 hurdles and 3 chases) have all been over 3-miles, and he didn’t appear to stay when tried over 4-miles at the Cheltenham Festival. It may have been he just didn’t like Cheltenham though, but Chepstow is also an undulating track.
Ask The Weatherman
8-year-old who is bidding to put fledgling trainer Jack Barber firmly on the map, and when Ask The Weatherman won an Exeter handicap off top-weight on his seasonal debut he certainly looked a typical Welsh National type. He looked an out-and-out stayer that day on soft ground and, though the form of that race was nothing special, there’s no doubt he’s yet to show his full capabilities to the handicapper.
Chase The Spud
Often looked outpaced in races over trips of around 3-miles last season, but has no stamina doubts after winning the Midlands National over 4-miles. He also won on seasonal debut at Haydock over 26-furlongs, when the ground was riding so heavy it was probably more like running the distance of the Welsh National. A negative is his previous course form, having previously been beaten here twice.
Rock The Kasbah
One horse who absolutely loves Chepstow is Rock The Kasbah, and the Phillip Hobbs 7-year-old has won 3 of his 5 starts here, having also finished runner-up on his first two starts at the track. He also looked to be crying out for this longer trip when doing all of his best work at the end of 3-miles when winning here on his seasonal debut.
Mysteree
His form ties in closely with that of Chase The Spud, as he beat him over 3½-miles at Haydock in the mud, before later finishing second to him in the Midlands National. Also won the 4-mile Eider Chase in between those runs, and shouldn’t be faraway for a stable who won this race with Monbeg Dude in 2013.
Our Welsh Grand National 2017 Preview & Betting Tip: Asktheweatherman
There are some real Welsh National types entered in this year’s contest. However, whilst the likes of Beware The Bear, Mysteree, Chase The Spud and Kasbah Bliss may have shown their hands to the handicapper, Asktheweatherman could have any amount of improvement to come – and is fancied to capitalise off what looks a winning mark.