Christmas betting tips – ‘The Steeple Times’ offers selections for today’s Welsh Grand National 2021 at Chepstow and options in three other races
Whilst we missed out in the extraordinary spectacle of Tornado Flyer winning by nine lengths at 28/1 – the most astonishing result ever in in the 84-year history of the King George VI Chase and a spectacular success for jockey Danny Mullins – yesterday, today we’re joining those looking at the somewhat crowded 20 runner, 5 place Welsh Grand National at Chepstow at 2.50pm.
We did, however, manage some successes elsewhere on Boxing Day and achieved a reasonable return with a 1st for Sidi Ismael at 9/2 and a 3rd for Brother Pat at 18/1 in the 2.15pm at Market Rasen and a 2nd for Mister Coffey in the 1.20pm at Kempton Park and now today, we are looking at EACH WAY BETS on:
2.50pm Chepstow – Coral Welsh Grand National (20 runners, 5 places with Ladbrokes ’The Grid’)
Stan Sheppard – Stan Thomas combo Iwilldoit at 8/1 from 9/1 earlier (The Sun ‘Longshot’, Daily Telegraph, Mirror)
The Sun states: “He couldn’t have been more impressive when winning the trial for this race. The big one is a lot tougher but he has solid place prospects.”
Racing Post adds: “Unexposed as a chaser and is an interesting staying prospect after winning the Trial here.”
Also in the same race, Harry Cobden – Paul Nicholls combo Highland Hunter at 11/1 (The Sun NAP, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)
The Sun enthuses: “Will relish this stamina test and ground will be fine.”
At The Races adds: “Highland Hunter appears to be the chief threat after his win at Sandown in the London National, but he has to carry a 4lb penalty for that success here.”
Racing Post remarks: “Five-race chase career, on the up; pipped Deise Aba at Sandown (3m5f) and has 4lb penalty.”
Also in the same race, Tom Scudamore – David Pipe combo Ramses De Teillee at 25/1 (Sporting Life, Daily Mail ‘Gimcrack’)
Racing Post comments: “2nd in this three years ago; not disgraced on three of last four starts; first cheekpieces.”
Also in the same race, Gavin Sheehan – Jessica Harrington combo Discordantly at 20/1 from 18/1 earlier (Sporting Life)
Matt Brocklebank for Sporting Life enthuses: Last year’s winner Secret Reprieve – not sighted since and 6lb higher in the ratings – is there to be shot at as 9/2 clear favourite and the value now lies with another Irish challenger DISCORDANTLY who fell when still in touch with the leaders five-out before The Big Dog went on to beat subsequent Midlands National fourth Screaming Colours in the Punchestown Grand National Trial back in February.”
“It’s fair to suggest Discordantly has proved to be something of a ‘nearly horse’ in his chasing career to this point but he’s always struck me as a thorough stayer and I thought he ran a bit better than the end result when sixth in the Ultima at Cheltenham in March, a race dominated by those right on the sharp end from the off.”
“Jessica Harrington’s horse couldn’t quite get close enough to mount a serious challenge at the Festival but he has raced up with the pace in the past and I’d be amazed if the booking of Gavin Sheehan doesn’t prompt another relatively forward ride here after being held up behind horses again at Navan on his comeback.
“The Troytrown he contested there looked a really warm race of its type, quality novice Run Wild Fred (favourite for the NH Chase) impressively beating stablemate Farclas and subsequent Cheltenham second Mister Fogpatches. Discordantly ran with credit, ending up sixth again, and while he’s gone well fresh in the past it did look like a race that could bring him on a bit.”
“Soft ground has never been an issue either for the son of Salutino and he remains open to potential over marathon distances running off a 2lb lower mark than when quietly fancied (10/1) at Cheltenham in the spring. A BHA mark of 140 actually means he’s one of the last to sneak in here off his ‘correct’ mark and the fitting of a first-time tongue tie could also help spark a little bit of an upturn in performance. I like his claims around the 20/1 mark.”
Racing Post muses: “Failed to complete at 3m4f/3m5f; not disgraced on reappearance; tongue tied first time.”
1.05pm Chepstow (10 runners, 3 places)
Ben Jones – Bernard Llewellyn combo Zambezi Fix at 13/2 from 15/2 earlier (The Sun ‘Each-Way Thief’)
The Sun shares: “He had a confidence-booster over hurdles at Sandown earlier this month and can get back on track returning to chasing here.”
Racing Post says: “Good second over hurdles last time; consistent over fences; more persuasive than many.”
Also in the same race, Kevin Brogan – Jonjo O’Neill combo When You’re Ready at 21/10 (Guardian, SPOTLIGHT, RP Ratings, POSTDATA, The Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Daily Mail ‘Robin Goodfellow’, Mirror, The Sun, Daily Star, Daily Record, At The Races “Watch Out For’, Racing Post NAP)
The Sun offers: “Won over course and distance latest and will be right there.”
At The Races adds: “When You’re Ready won easily over C&D last time and an added 7lb from the handicapper may not stop another bold effort, while Zambezi Fix could place yet again after a decent second at Sandown.”
Greg Wood for Guardian observes: “When You’re Ready built on the promise of his chasing debut to win with something to spare over course and distance last time out and a 7lb rise in the weights is unlikely to stop his progress.”
Racing Post remarks: “Progressing well and open to further improvement, WHEN YOU’RE READY (nap) can follow up his recent C&D success off a 7lb higher mark… Personal best when scoring over C&D; open to further improvement and has a good chance.”
1.55pm Kempton Park (7 runners, 3 places)
Sean Houlihan – Sue Gardner combo Empressive Lady at 14/5 from 3/1 earlier (Radio 4, Racing Post ‘Dark Horse’, Daily Star)
Simon Giles for Racing Post observes: “Shaped fairly well on ground quicker than ideal on her Ascot reappearance and this course-and-distance winner can strike off a mark a stone lower than when placed in this race last year.”
Racing Post less enthusiastic: “Runner-up off 1lb higher in this race 12 months ago; below par since.”
Also in the same race, Case double Coded Message at 18/5 from 7/2 earlier (Racing Post ‘Handicappers’ NAP, RP Ratings, TOPSPEED, POSTDATA, The Times, Guardian, Daily Mail ‘Robin Goodfellow’, The Sun, Daily Record’, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)
Steve Mason for Racing Post shares: “Shaped fairly well on ground quicker than ideal on her Ascot reappearance and this course-and-distance winner can strike off a mark a stone lower than when placed in this race last year.”
Greg Wood for Guardian observes: “Coded Message has been dropped a couple of pounds since a close fourth at Ascot and could make the most of it in a competitive contest.”
The Sun shares: “Won this in 2019 and lower in the weights now.”
At The Races adds: “Coded Message wasn’t too far behind the selection in fourth that day and she is entitled to improve for that first outing since April.”
Racing Post offers: “Coded Message is feared most… Won this race (off 2lb higher) in 2019 and finished third last year; solid chance.”
3.10pm Kempton Park (11 runners, 3 places)
William Kennedy – Christian Williams combo Kitty’s Light at 20/1 from 14/1 earlier (The Sun ‘Each-Way Thief’, GG.co.uk)
The Sun suggests: “He was pulled up in the Ladbrokes Trophy last time but went close in a Wetherby Grade 2 before that and can bounce back.”
At The Races adds: “Kitty’s Light arrives with something to prove having been pulled up in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury.”
Racing Post concludes: “Failed to show his form last time; normally consistent and looks likely to bounce back.”
Also in the same race, Bryony Frost – Paul Nicholls combo Real Steel at 7/1 from 13/2 earlier (Sporting Life, Daily Mail ‘Gimcrack’)
Racing Post finishes: “Unconvincing record for current yard but has become well treated on best Irish form.”
EACH WAY DOUBLE
For those looking for an each way double, we are going with Zambezi Fix in the 1.05pm at Chepstow and Real Steel in the 3.10pm at Kempton Park at 59/1.
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Happy racing.
Pictured top – French born thoroughbred Ramses De Teillee tries cheekpieces for the first time today in the Welsh Grand National.
