December 09 / 13.37 Chepstow

13.37

Soft

Coral Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

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

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.00
  • Place: £1.50

Form: 6307-4

Last run: 28 days

W: 11st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 141

Form & Verdict
Failed to win last season but was very creditable third in valuable Cheltenham handicap (2m4f, soft; first-time cheekpieces) on New Year's Day and stuck to his task very well when fourth over the big Aintree fences (2m5f, heavy) on last month's reappearance outing; well worth another crack at a staying trip; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

13th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 41y

Class 5

17:00 Hexham

Nassalam

11st 12lb

J: Miss Gina Andrews

T: T Ellis

Pulled up/tailed off on all seven starts since winning the Welsh National for the Moore stable in December 2023; it's tricky to assess what he's capable of nowadays but this race is vastly easier than he's used to and if he retains any spark he'll be tough to beat on this stable debut.

3/1

2

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Nassalam

11st 4lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Well suited by soft/heavy ground; landed the 2023 Welsh National off current mark; subsequent form figures (P0PPPP) are dismal but this first run since wind surgery may be the time to bank on a revival and catch him; attractively handicapped, with that in mind.

10/1

16/1

  • Place: £3.40

Form: P4P-3F CD

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Four-time course winner (2m7f-3m2f; good-soft) who returned to form with creditable third on seasonal debut at Cheltenham (3m1f, good to soft) in October; has become unreliable, though, and is 3lb wrong today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

8

11th Oct 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:50 Chepstow

Wayfinder

11st 1lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Gained all four chase wins here (good-soft), the latest over today's trip two years ago; very inconsistent in the meantime and not seen since heavy defeat at Newton Abbot in May but both his course record and his record when fresh make him of strong interest today.

6/1

4th

1

29th May 2024

Soft

3m 1f 170y

Class 3

14:58 Newton Abbot

Wayfinder

11st 7lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

All his chase wins have come at Chepstow but he has form elsewhere and this is a softer race than at Cheltenham last month; however, he did bleed that day and there's no denying he has a point to prove.

15/2

9th

12

17th Apr 2024

Good To Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Cheltenham

Wayfinder

10st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Rebecca Curtis

Gained all four chase wins at Chepstow but his third on the Old course here (3m1f, good to soft) in October was right up there with his best form; ran very poorly (albeit on heavy ground) last time and has a point to prove.

20/1

14/1

  • Place: £2.80

Form: 19P44-

Last run: 229 days

W: 10st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 133

Form & Verdict
Rather lost his way last season but the form of his win at Uttoxeter (2m6f, soft) just over a year ago reads well and he's back on the same mark now; contender if refreshed by 229-day break.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

1st Apr 2026

Good

3m 0f 60y

Class 4

14:30 Southwell

Fern Hill

12st 0lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Two small-field wins around 3m on good in the autumn; went off the boil subsequently but very much back on his game when second of 11 at Chepstow 17 days ago; raised 5lb for pulling clear of the rest but it looks justified given the third was successful back at Chepstow last week.

6/4

2nd

3

15th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

15:20 Chepstow

Fern Hill

11st 11lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Ben Case

Two small-field wins in the autumn but his form has dipped and he was last to complete at Huntingdon most recently (2m7f, heavy).

16/1

14/1

Form: 44P50- D

Last run: 238 days

W: 10st 13lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 139

Form & Verdict
Now 4lb lower than when landing a good prize at Ascot (3m, soft) in February 2022 but his only good run last season came over the big Aintree fences (3m2f, good to soft) and he struggled in Grand National on latest outing in April; others look safer; also engaged 3.35 Sandown but this is his first preference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

1st Feb 2026

Soft

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

14:55 Market Rasen

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Veteran who was a very useful staying chaser in his prime but has regressed and become inconsistent; left behind in home straight at Doncaster (3m, good) five weeks ago and needs headgear switch to perk him up here.

10/1

4th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Hugh Nugent

T: Henry Daly

Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing.

20/1

4th

6

16th Apr 2025

Good

3m 4f 21y

Class 3

15:15 Cheltenham

Fortescue

11st 11lb

J: Hugh Nugent

T: Henry Daly

Six-time chase winner over 3m; began season with respectable second behind revitalised opponent at Aintree (3m1f, good) in October and should be fine stamina-wise today but his last three runs were disappointing.

20/1

Form: /031-3 C

Last run: 31 days

W: 10st 11lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who won last season's Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter (4m2f, soft); posted sound effort when third on reappearance outing at Warwick (3m1f, soft) but this race looks more competitive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th Feb 2026

Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

15:25 Fakenham

Major Dundee

11st 12lb

J: Mr Sam Lee

T: Francesca Poste

Last successful in the Midlands Grand National of 2023; lost his way for Alan King and a beaten favourite in his two recent points; tries blinkers.

4/1

Form: 125/0- CD

Last run: 371 days

W: 11st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 140

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner in December 2021 (good to soft/soft) and still lightly raced over fences but was well beaten (over hurdles) on sole appearance last season and it's hard to know what to expect from him after another one-year layoff.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

22nd Feb 2026

Soft

3m 1f 44y

Class 4

15:10 Hereford

Pats Fancy

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Rebecca Curtis

Very useful chaser at his peak (last win was in 2021); not the force he was, but handicapped accordingly; fair fourth at Ffos Las in October (3m1f, soft; cheekpieces on for first time); not so good since (pulled up in Welsh National last time); blinkers now tried.

9/1

4th

1

28th Oct 2025

Soft

3m 1f 60y

Class 4

14:58 Ffos Las

Pats Fancy

12st 2lb

J: Jamie Brace

T: Rebecca Curtis

Very useful in his prime and has conditions to suit here but returned from long absence with three disappointing runs (albeit in good-quality races) towards end of last season; eased in grade and sports first-time cheekpieces for this reappearance run; revival needed.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: /501-2 D

Last run: 35 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Very smart chaser who was not far off his best form when second in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, soft; heavy also suits) on last month's seasonal debut and competes off the same mark again here; no surprise if he poses a potent threat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

16th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 89y

Class 2

14:05 Market Rasen

Two For Gold

11st 11lb

J: Tom Bellamy

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Teenager who ran well for a long way when very respectable sixth in valuable Ascot handicap (3m, good) on seasonal debut in November; pulled up in similar race back there just before Christmas but might be aided by the refitted tongue-tie here and has slipped to a tempting mark.

20/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

1

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Two For Gold

12st 0lb

J: Ciaran Gethings

T: Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls

Second and fourth in the last two renewals of this and further enhanced his solid record here with another second over this trip in March; can see him running well again but it goes against the grain trends-wise to row in with a 12yo carrying 12st.

25/1

Form: 62/P-P D

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 147

Form & Verdict
Seemed to be running away with 2021 Charlie Hall Chase before crashing out at third-last fence but not much has gone to plan since; pulled up on sole appearance last season and also when reappearing over hurdles last month; leap of faith required to support him at present.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

1st Feb 2025

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Shan Blue

11st 10lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

in rear, hit 1st

10/1

Form: FP-233 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 10st 8lb

12 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
As good as ever as a 12yo and has made the frame on all three appearances this season, including a good third over C&D; versatile regarding ground but some of his younger rivals look better handicapped; also engaged 3.35 Sandown but this is his first preference.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

11th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 4f 85y

Class 3

15:40 Taunton

Cyclop

11st 4lb

J: William Maggs

T: David Dennis

prominent

12/1

Form: 12F71-

Last run: 293 days

W: 10st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Created good impression when winning at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) on chasing debut in November 2022 and his close second here (2m3f, good to soft) the following month was also a good effort; not seen since his walk-over in February but could have significant untapped potential as a staying chaser.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

19:35 Chepstow

Dalamoi

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

3-3 in open points across a variety of going types this term, with March's Didmarton success franked by the runner-up at Kimble last weekend; twice a non-finisher over today's C&D previously, but his earlier 2m3.5f second here (good to soft) remains a career-best effort judged on RPRs; player.

6/4

3rd

2

25th Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

19:35 Chepstow

Dalamoi

11st 12lb

J: Mr Edward Vaughan

T: Tim Vaughan

3-3 in open points across a variety of going types this term, with March's Didmarton success franked by the runner-up at Kimble last weekend; twice a non-finisher over today's C&D previously, but his earlier 2m3.5f second here (good to soft) remains a career-best effort judged on RPRs; player.

6/4

6th

2

1st Apr 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 129y

Class 4

14:45 Huntingdon

Dalamoi

12st 2lb

J: Alan Johns

T: Tim Vaughan

held up in rear

8/1

Non-runners

Rapper, Quel Destin, Dr Kananga, Not Sure

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £40.50
Straight Forecast £36.63
Tricast £273.44
Trifecta £252.80

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Nassalam

WEST COUNTRY:

Two For Gold

The Guardian:

Dalamoi

The Times:

Pats Fancy

D Express:

Fern Hill

Daily Record:

Major Dundee

SPOTLIGHT:

Dr Kananga

TOPSPEED:

Fortescue

The Star:

Dalamoi

POSTDATA:

Nassalam

Daily Mirror:

Nassalam

Daily Mail:

Pats Fancy

Telegraph:

Two For Gold

The Sun:

Two For Gold