‘The Steeple Times’ examines the tipsters’ selections and offers a couple of options for the rescheduled Welsh Grand National 2020 at Chepstow – as well as a 66/1 each way option with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 place possibilities at Kempton
Our racing followers did remarkably well at Lingfield yesterday with a 1st at 11/2 for Jumping Cats, a 2nd at 31/10 for El Kaldoun and a 1st at 17/4 for our late tip Rose of Aghaboe yesterday.
The Coral Welsh Grand National 2020 at Chepstow was due to take place on the 27th December 2020, but as the course was waterlogged, it is now taking place today, 9th January 2021 at 3.10pm. A Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase over 3 miles 6½ furlongs on turf, this race was inaugurated in 1895 and features a total of 23 fences.
Whilst, like its somewhat chavvy English counterpart, there is a crowded field of 18 today and anything could happen, we suggest spreading your bets and select three options each way (with, for example, Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’ a payout will be made on places 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5):
3.10pm Chepstow – Welsh Grand National (18 runners)
In the Welsh Grand National 2020, David Pipe trained Vieux Lion Rouge at 22/1 (Radio 4)
Racing Post says: “Ran away with the Becher at Aintree five weeks ago; due to go up another 8lb; stays 3m4f.”
Also in the Welsh Grand National 2020, Bryony Frost – Paul Nicholls combo Yala Enki at 15/1
Racing Post says: “3rd off 5lb and 4lb lower marks in the last two Welsh Nationals; short-headed two runs ago.”
Also in the Welsh Grand National 2020, Colin Tizzard trained Christmas in April at 9/1 (Racing Post ’Spotlight NAP’)
Richard Austen says: “Made a satisfactory reappearance eight weeks ago and his smooth win in last season’s Devon National gives him plenty of appeal.”
Racing Post adds: “The vote goes to CHRISTMAS IN APRIL (nap) whose sparkling win over this trip on heavy in the Devon National is very persuasive evidence… February’s smooth win in the Devon National (3m6f, heavy) gives him plenty of appeal.”
Elsewhere today in other races, we’re looking at each way bets on:
12.50pm Chepstow (12 runners)
Clyne at 10/1 (Racing Post ‘Dark Horse’)
Joe Casey says: “Second in this race last year off a higher mark, this veteran will relish the testing conditions and can go well for a jockey in top form.”
Also in the same race, Bryony Frost – Paul Nicholls combo Storm Arising at 5/1 (The Sun, At The Races ‘Watch Out For’)
Racing Post says: “Good second last time and looks ahead of the handicapper.”
1.25pm Chepstow (8 runners)
Tom George trained Bannister at 35/1 from 33/1 earlier
Our man in the knowledge says: “At a big price Bannister catches the eye. He was also entered at Kempton today, but the trainer must prefer his chances at Chepstow.”
Racing Post adds: “20l winner in September and has run well in France since; toughest assignment to date.”
1.40pm Lingfield Park (9 runners)
Shelia at 31/10 from 7/2 earlier (Guardian, The Sun, Sporting Life ’NAP of the Day’)
Matt Brocklebank says: “A first crack at Lingfield’s mile and a half looks destined to suit SHEILA, Hugo Palmer’s Australia filly who was showing progressive form in 10-furlong all-weather handicaps late last year. She won well when sent off favourite at Chelmsford and has done precious little wrong in two starts since, only going down by the narrowest of margins at this course when last seen on November 21.”
“The assessor has only raised her 2lb for that agonising defeat and, given her pedigree, she should still be a few steps ahead of the game as she tackles this new trip, something she looks to have been crying out for. I’d expect her to pick up a handy early position behind likely leader Fraser Island before winding it up on the turn into the home straight.”
The Sun adds: “Went down in a head-bobber here last time out.”
Also in the same race, Tom Marquand – Michael Appleby combo Oslo at 19/4 (Telegraph, At The Races ’Top Tip’)
At The Races says: “OSLO followed up his 1m2f victory at Chelmsford with a respectable second over C&D on New Year’s Eve and is expected to mount another bold bid from this 1lb higher perch now lowering his sights.”
3.30pm Kempton Park (20 runners)
(Ladbrokes ‘The Grid’ paying out on places 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
Sharing the nickname of the late, great gin and tonic loving resistance heroine Nancy Wake AC GM (1912 – 2011), we’re especially keen on Jack Quinlan on The White Mouse at 12/1 from 11/1 earlier (Daily Mail ‘Robin Goodfellow’)
Racing Post says: “THE WHITE MOUSE has twice asserted in good style this season. Taking handicap wins at Wincanton (2m5f, good) and Cheltenham (2m4f, soft) this season.”
Also in the same race, Johnson – Hobbs combo Everglow at 8/1 from 15/2 earlier
Racing Post says: “This is a hot race for handicap debut but he is an unexposed novice with clear potential.”
Also a small bet (having had success in the past and in spite of recent failures) in the same race, Nicky Henderson trained The Cashel Man at 35/1 from 33/1 earlier
Racing Post less than enthusiastic: “Three heavy defeats before a bit better last time but the excuses are wearing a bit thin.”
Finally, a late extra tip comes in the form of Lilly Pinchin on Gerolomo Cardano at 66/1 from 125/1 earlier
Our man in the knowledge says: “I am intrigued that Gerolomo Cardano is running in this race, up in trip. He’s a massive price at 125/1 and I must admit I might be tempted to have a small wager.”
Racing Post adds: “Ran poorly last two runs last term; first cheekpieces; trip is interesting on best effort.”
Enjoy today’s Welsh Grand National and happy racing.
Pictured top: Christmas in April landed the Sussex National at Plumpton in 2020 and the Devon National at Exeter. Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard remarked of him in November: “He’s in lovely form at home and he loves these stamina tests… He could have a tilt at the Welsh National.”
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