December 07 / 13.37 Chepstow

13.37

Soft

Coral Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £13007.5
  • 2m 7f 131y
  • Class 2
  • 8 runners
SKY
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Coral Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Form: /11FP/ D

Last run: 679 days

W: 12st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Grade 1 novice hurdle winner in April 2022 and a tendon strain came to light after pulling up in a Grade 2 back hurdling on final appearance nearly two years; had previously won two small-field novice chases before taking a heavy tumble in the 3m Grade 1 at Kempton over Christmas; since had wind surgery; might be asking a bit much to win this first time back under 12st.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Gelino Bello

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Promising start to chasing career in late 2022, and returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles this winter; yard won this last year and he has his sights lowered after tackling the Kim Muir last month, but he's now been pulled up over fences the last twice and has something to prove.

16/1

1

11th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:15 Ayr

Gelino Bello

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Promising start to chasing career in late 2022, and returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles this winter; yard won this last year and he has his sights lowered after tackling the Kim Muir last month, but he's now been pulled up over fences the last twice and has something to prove.

16/1

5

13th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Cheltenham

Gelino Bello

11st 8lb

J: Miss Olive Nicholls

T: Paul Nicholls

Grade 1 novice hurdle winner in April 2022 and well treated on novice chase form from late 2022; returned from long absence with fair sixth over hurdles in December; heavy ground may have been too much over fences at Sandown last month but he was pulled up and others have less to prove.

33/1

Form: 1/11P- C

Last run: 294 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Last seen pulling up in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown at Ascot in February; lack of a recent run is a good thing with an impressive record when fresh and he's won both his handicaps as a chaser (2m3f/2m7f; soft latterly); probably on a useful mark and he's not yet exposed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

28th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 214y

Class 2

15:15 Newbury

Brave Kingdom

10st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 10yo who posted a resurgent effort in small field at Taunton (2m7f) most recently; form at Newbury features a success over 2m7f in 2023 and placed effort in the Mandarin over 3m2f in 2024; respected off an attractive mark switched to a veterans' contest.

5/1

2nd

1

3rd Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 7f 3y

Class 3

15:45 Taunton

Brave Kingdom

12st 0lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 10yo who disappointed on seasonal debut in November (first run after latest of three wind ops) and has now been pulled up on three of his last four appearances; eased in grade today but needs to get career back on track.

100/30

Form: 0/134- BF

Last run: 346 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Capable hurdler off this sort of mark; confined to only three chase starts last season, left clear when successful on debut and jumping let him down afterwards; best form has been over shorter trips but appeals as a chaser with more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

4

27th Dec 2023

Good To Soft

2m 3f 98y

Class 2

13:05 Chepstow

Good Risk At All

10st 7lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Sam Thomas

didn't jump with fluency, pressed leaders, awkward jump 2nd, reminders after 8th, soon detached, weakened after 5 out, tailed off

13/8

Form: P1P1-P D

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 3lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 131

Form & Verdict
Hit-and-miss profile but useful on his day granted plenty of give underfoot, last season winning heavy-ground handicaps over 2m4f and 3m; wouldn't put it past him bouncing back from a laboured return at Bangor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Regal Blue

11st 7lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent 9yo who often looks very unenthusiastic; made all in valuable novices' handicap chase at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March 2024 but absent since two lacklustre runs at end of that year; had wind in September and now sports first-time cheekpieces; this first run after a layoff might be a good day to catch him in the right mood, but others are much less risky.

25/1

3

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Regal Blue

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent and pulled up on last month's reappearance at Bangor but he may have needed the run and this lightly raced 7yo could be tailor-made for today's assignment in view of last season's best efforts, including two fine runs on heavy ground here and a win at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March.

8/1

3

21st Dec 2024

Soft

3m 1f 125y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Regal Blue

11st 8lb

J: Nick Scholfield

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Inconsistent and pulled up on last month's reappearance at Bangor but he may have needed the run and this lightly raced 7yo could be tailor-made for today's assignment in view of last season's best efforts, including two fine runs on heavy ground here and a win at Uttoxeter (3m, heavy) in March.

8/1

Form: 5111-4

Last run: 41 days

W: 10st 10lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 124

Form & Verdict
The addition of blinkers worked wonders last season when completing a heavy-ground hat-trick in staying chases; that came at a cost mark-wise but still ran well on his return at Wincanton when good ground wouldn't have been preferable; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

10th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 4f 85y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

No Hubs No Hoobs

11st 12lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form, completing a hat-trick with clearcut success at Exeter (3m6f, heavy), but made nothing better than a satisfactory reappearance in October and was pulled up in Welsh Grand National on only subsequent appearance; still on a fairly tough mark and needs to get back in the groove.

6/1

16

27th Dec 2024

Soft

3m 6f 130y

Class 1

14:50 Chepstow

No Hubs No Hoobs

10st 2lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Ended last season in excellent form on heavy ground in blinkers, winning twice over 3m1f at Wincanton before drawing 6l clear over an extended 3m6f at Exeter; should have come on markedly since October reappearance and this is only his second run over a marathon trip; could have more to offer, though seemingly the deeper the ground the better it is for him.

16/1

Form: 211-19 CD

Last run: 160 days

W: 10st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Went on to complete a hat-trick after winning easily over C&D in March (heavy; later wins on soft); 8lb out of the weights and on good to soft when off his game at Uttoxeter in June; this race looks a more suitable opportunity.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

13

28th Jun 2026

Good

3m 0f 10y

Class 2

15:27 Uttoxeter

Imperial Alex

10st 4lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Back in top form this season; justified favouritism at Stratford (3m3f, good to firm) last time, taking chase record to 5-19; however, the memory of his dismal effort in this contest two years ago (when bidding for a four-timer) tempers enthusiasm.

10/1

1st

2

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

3m 3f 119y

Class 3

19:20 Stratford

Imperial Alex

12st 0lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

Four-times winning chaser over around 3m; returned to his best when beaten a neck at Ffos Las (3m, good) 25 days ago with 15l back to the third; nudged up 4lb but holds claims if he gets home over this marathon trip.

7/4

2nd

4

5th May 2026

Good

2m 7f 177y

Class 4

16:18 Ffos Las

Imperial Alex

11st 9lb

J: Stan Sheppard

T: Tom Lacey

In career-best form last summer over 3m on good ground; soundly beaten in his last three races, disappointingly so at Warwick last time when back on his favoured surface (good); bit to prove now.

10/1

Form: 413P-2 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 4lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Won twice at about this trip last season and ran as though his race here in November (finished second) would bring him on; enters the reckoning.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Enjoy Your Life

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

6lb lower than for November's second over 2m3.5f here (good to soft), but beaten 27l and 56l despite making the podium the last twice; enough to prove right now and probably wouldn't want a dryout, either.

14/1

6th

4

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 54y

Class 4

17:05 Chepstow

Enjoy Your Life

11st 11lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

6lb lower than for November's second over 2m3.5f here (good to soft), but beaten 27l and 56l despite making the podium the last twice; enough to prove right now and probably wouldn't want a dryout, either.

14/1

2nd

5

6th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

16:20 Wincanton

Enjoy Your Life

11st 2lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

Won twice last season and is below his last winning mark; reappeared with encouraging second at Chepstow in November but two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

5/1

Form: 1622-2 CD

Last run: 21 days

W: 10st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
It's been a solid start over fences (despite only 1-6) but was no match for an easy winner at Uttoxeter (3m2f, good; handles softer); couldn't put a line through him off such a light weight.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

22nd Mar 2026

Good

3m 6f 153y

Class 3

15:02 Exeter

Sporting Ace

10st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Reportedly appreciated the heavy ground when rallying to lead close home at Huntingdon (2m7f) last month; will be suited by the longer trip here but the ground will be much quicker this time and he's very unreliable now.

8/1

13

19th Jan 2026

Soft

3m 4f 178y

Class 3

13:50 Lingfield

Sporting Ace

10st 8lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Returned to form with narrow win in this race a year ago (heavy) and is now 1lb below that mark but well beaten all four starts since (three this season) and needs to bounce back again; headgear (worn for last two races) removed.

16/1

Non-runners

Certainly Red

Verdict

The eyes are drawn towards the fragile BRAVE KINGDOM (nap) who has an outstanding record when fresh. Because of his stop-start career, this 8yo may have a personal best in his locker. The same is true of Good Risk At All who was restricted to only three runs over fences last season. Enjoy Your Life should go well, while it would be typical of Regal Blue to shrug aside his disappointing return with a big run.[Alistair Jones]

Selections

POSTDATA:

Good Risk At All

SPOTLIGHT:

Brave Kingdom

The Guardian:

Enjoy Your Life

WEST COUNTRY:

No Hubs No Hoobs

TOPSPEED:

Regal Blue

Daily Mail:

Good Risk At All

Daily Mirror:

Good Risk At All

The Star:

Good Risk At All

The Sun:

Enjoy Your Life

Daily Record:

Enjoy Your Life

RP RATINGS:

Brave Kingdom

The Times:

Brave Kingdom

D Express:

Brave Kingdom

Telegraph:

No Hubs No Hoobs