December 03 / 13.37 Chepstow

13.37

Good To Soft

Coral Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

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

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

OUR TIP

13/2 (Won)

  • Win: £6.00
  • Place: £2.20

Form: /P15P- BF

Last run: 273 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Ex-French 7yo who is 2-6 over fences in Britain, the latter win gained at Sandown (2m4f, soft) in January; ended last season with two disappointing efforts and returns with a point to prove but could quite plausibly have untapped potential at around 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

16th Mar 2023

Soft

3m 2f 0y

Class 2

17:30 Cheltenham

Farinet

11st 11lb

J: Mr James King

T: Venetia Williams

Won at Sandown (2m4f, soft) last January and comfortably made all at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) in December; of interest judged on that latest win but two lesser runs have followed and he needs to get back on track.

33/1

10th

2

18th Feb 2023

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

14:25 Ascot

Farinet

11st 11lb

J: Shane Quinlan

T: Venetia Williams

All starts have been on softer than good; 3-8 over fences in Britain and those wins were all gained in good style but his other runs last season were disappointing; this term he impressively made all at Chepstow (9lb higher today) but his form dipped at Newbury four weeks later; mixed messages.

16/1

5th

1

1st Jan 2023

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 2

12:45 Cheltenham

Farinet

12st 0lb

J: Charlie Deutsch

T: Venetia Williams

3-7 over fences in Britain and those wins were all gained in good style but his other runs last season were disappointing; made all when slamming Secret Reprieve by 8l eased down at Chepstow (3m) four weeks ago, since which he has been raised 10lb but he has to be in serious calculations.

7/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 1/5P-9 CD

Last run: 34 days

W: 10st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 134

Form & Verdict
Won this race in 2020 before following up in the Welsh National itself a few weeks later; well handicapped on those heroics but lightly raced and disappointing since; weakened tamely and finished last of nine on seasonal debut in October; revival needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

25

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Secret Reprieve

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing, or recaptured his form, since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021; 2lb lower today, even from 5lb out of the handicap; two places last winter but pulled up in the 2023 Midlands National and well beaten behind Ballygriffin Cottage at Sandown when next seen nearly a year later.

66/1

25

20th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 7f 176y

Class 1

15:35 Ayr

Secret Reprieve

10st 2lb

J: James Turner

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing, or recaptured his form, since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021; 2lb lower today, even from 5lb out of the handicap; two places last winter but pulled up in the 2023 Midlands National and well beaten behind Ballygriffin Cottage at Sandown when next seen nearly a year later.

66/1

6th

8

9th Mar 2024

Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Sandown

Secret Reprieve

11st 9lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Evan Williams

Has not had much racing since winning the Welsh Grand National in January 2021, running respectably twice last winter but beaten some way out in the Midlands National when last seen in March; well handicapped but seems fragile and probably best watched after nearly a year off.

16/1

100/1

  • Place: £14.00

Form: 2/1P3- C

Last run: 256 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 128

Form & Verdict
Made winning chase debut for Nicky Henderson in spring 2021 but returned from absence with two disappointing runs in February/March and was subsequently sold for £11,000; 4lb out of the weights for today's stable debut and has too much to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

10th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 3

14:35 Chepstow

Grand Mogul

11st 0lb

J: Ben Ffrench Davis

T: Gail Haywood

Lightly raced for his age and belied 66-1 odds when keeping-on third over C&D (good to soft) on seasonal/stable debut in December; now 6lb below that mark and his subsequent defeat in a heavy-ground marathon should not be viewed too harshly; not ruled out.

16/1

12

14th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Grand Mogul

10st 5lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Gail Haywood

Unraced beyond 3m; acts on soft but turned over at 2-11 on sole run on heavy; won off this mark on chase debut in May 2021 but disappointing last February/March in his only two subsequent runs for Nicky Henderson; sold for £11,000 last May and his third at Chepstow six weeks ago was a big step back in the right direction; needs to build on that.

20/1

3rd

12

3rd Dec 2022

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

13:37 Chepstow

Grand Mogul

10st 2lb

J: Ben Poste

T: Gail Haywood

in rear, pecked on landing and lost ground 2nd

100/1

Form: 23/1-P C

Last run: 20 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 8yo who won easily on chasing debut at Newton Abbot (3m2f, good) in May 2021; not seen again until Fontwell last month, where he was on the back foot after bad jumping error in early stages and failed to complete; might be dangerous if he gets into a better rhythm here, though; cheekpieces added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

25th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 131y

Class 2

15:07 Chepstow

Southfield Harvest

11st 4lb

J: Ben Bromley

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced 9yo; seemingly back in good form when fourth over fences here (2m7f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) in December but looked badly out of sorts in a chase three weeks ago and it's hard to know what to expect from him in first-time blinkers on this return to hurdling.

16/1

6

2nd Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 3

15:00 Wincanton

Southfield Harvest

11st 9lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Returned from a long absence in November and has made costly mistakes on both comeback runs; however, there was some promise in his fourth at Chepstow (2m7f, good to soft) last time and he has obvious potential to improve on that form if jumping better; could go well for top yard.

5/1

Form: /0F1P- D

Last run: 287 days

W: 11st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 148

Form & Verdict
Quite lightly raced in recent years but looked back in prime form when scoring at Kempton (3m, soft) in January, on what was effectively his first run in cheekpieces; not seen since poor performance in February but resumes on workable mark and enters calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

11th Jun 2023

Good

2m 7f 180y

Class 2

16:05 Perth

Caribean Boy

12st 0lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Nicky Henderson

prominent

11/2

7th

1

6th May 2023

Good

3m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Uttoxeter

Caribean Boy

12st 0lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Nicky Henderson

Seen only three times last season, most recently when returning to form with clearcut success in Grade 2 handicap at Cheltenham (2m4f, good) last month; subsequent 5lb rise does not look excessive and he might be seen to better effect over today's trip; respected.

6/1

1st

2

19th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

13:30 Cheltenham

Caribean Boy

11st 12lb

J: Daryl Jacob

T: Nicky Henderson

jumped left on occasions, in touch with leaders, jumped left and hampered rival 4th, ridden when outpaced after 3 out, rallied after 2 out, led run-in, went clear towards finish

14/1

Form: 2/101/ CD

Last run: 650 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 158

Form & Verdict
Comfortably won good-ground C&D handicap in October 2020 and claimed notable scalp of stablemate Clan Des Obeaux in Newbury Grade 2 (2m7f, good to soft) the following February; however, will need to be in peak form to have any chance off this lofty mark on his first start for 650 days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

22nd Mar 2024

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 5

14:00 Newbury

Secret Investor

12st 6lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

Lightly raced since beating top-notcher Clan Des Obeaux in the Grade 2 Denman here just over three years ago (on good to soft); nothing like as good now but remains prolific in hunter chases and soft ground was against him when a lucky winner at Fakenham last month (Tigerbythetail going best when departing); runs here having bypassed Cheltenham but he wouldn't want the forecast light rain to be anything heavier than that.

5/2

1st

3

16th Feb 2024

Soft

3m 0f 38y

Class 5

16:15 Fakenham

Secret Investor

12st 6lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

Quality performer back in the day and still prolific in hunter chases, winning four last year including the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford (3m3f, good) the final time when accounting for a talented Northern Irish raider; likes goodish ground but can handle soft; one to beat.

11/10

1st

7

2nd Jun 2023

Good

3m 3f 119y

Class 2

19:05 Stratford

Secret Investor

12st 0lb

J: Miss Natalie Parker

T: Paul Nicholls

prominent, pressed leader before 15th

4/1

Form: 3PU1-6 C

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 12lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Smart in his prime, with career highlight his 2018 Welsh Grand National win; capitalised upon some help from the handicapper when gaining hard-fought success in Ascot veterans' race (3m, good) in March but made disappointing reappearance (albeit over inadequate trip) last month; others have more appealing profiles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

12th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 37y

Class 2

15:25 Sandown

Elegant Escape

10st 6lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Joe Tizzard

His Welsh Grand National win was five years ago and sole success since was in a veterans' chase at Ascot in March of 2022; last season never got going at all but his trainer reports him in good shape and he's rocketed down the weights.

12/1

7th

7

25th Mar 2023

Good To Soft

2m 7f 86y

Class 3

17:00 Newbury

Elegant Escape

11st 9lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Only win since landing the 2018 Welsh Grand National was in a veterans' chase at Ascot 12 months ago off 10lb higher; too well handicapped to ignore but this season hasn't got going at all.

12/1

5th

5

12th Feb 2023

Good

3m 0f 54y

Class 2

16:30 Exeter

Elegant Escape

11st 4lb

J: Brendan Powell

T: Joe Tizzard

Smart in his prime, with career highlight his 2018 Welsh Grand National win; capitalised upon some help from the handicapper when gaining a hard-fought win in Ascot veterans' race (3m, good) last March and he has a 5lb lower mark today, but disappointing shows are more the norm nowadays; has a change of equipment but it's hard to bank on a revival.

16/1

Form: 3/PP-P C

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 12lb

11 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Very useful at his best but lightly raced in recent years; pulled up on both appearances last season and returned from layoff with another very disappointing effort last month; needs to prove some ability remains.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bennys King

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistency has crept into this 14yo's game but confidence should be buoyed by his win at Leicester in February and he loves it around here, having finished second in the last two editions of this race; probably vulnerable for win purposes but has place aspirations for sure; races prominently.

14/1

11th

5

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 2

16:05 Aintree

Bennys King

12st 0lb

J: Mr Sean O’Connor

T: Dan Skelton

Inconsistency has crept into this 14yo's game but confidence should be buoyed by his win at Leicester in February and he loves it around here, having finished second in the last two editions of this race; probably vulnerable for win purposes but has place aspirations for sure; races prominently.

14/1

1st

2

25th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

16:45 Leicester

Bennys King

12st 4lb

J: Miss Heidi Palin

T: Dan Skelton

14yo who is no longer the force of old and has become unreliable; that said, he won this race on heavy ground a year ago and proved he retains significant ability when keeping on gamely for second in refitted cheekpieces at Warwick (3m, good to soft) last month.

7/1

Form: /0230-

Last run: 229 days

W: 10st 8lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer who won Midlands Grand National (4m2f, good to soft) off today's mark in March 2021 and was placed in this year's edition of that race; however, has fitness to prove after 229-day absence and may find this an inadequate stamina test.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

9th Apr 2023

Heavy

3m 3f 208y

Class 3

15:25 Ffos Las

Time To Get Up

11st 5lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Won the 2021 Midlands National and third in it in 2022 but he was pulled up three weeks ago in the latest renewal, which was symptomatic of his poor season; way down the weights.

16/1

13

18th Mar 2023

Soft

4m 2f 8y

Class 1

15:00 Uttoxeter

Time To Get Up

10st 3lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

This campaign hasn't taken off at all but he has history in this race, having won it two seasons ago (good to soft) on only his fourth start over fences and he was a highly credible 12l third last year (soft); dangerously well handicapped if he can stage a revival and you wouldn't put it past him.

12/1

8th

9

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Time To Get Up

10st 7lb

J: Kevin Brogan

T: Jonjo O’Neill

Ran well when third in last year's Midlands National (4m2f, soft), a race he won in 2021, and he's well handicapped on that form; however, he's been pulled up on both starts this term and a major turnaround is needed.

20/1

Form: 13P7-P C

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 5lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 135

Form & Verdict
Created good impression when opening chase account at Newbury (2m6f, soft) last December; well beaten in hot handicaps on final two starts last season but positives can be drawn from last month's reappearance run (even though he was pulled up in the end) and he still has potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

9th Nov 2023

Good To Soft

3m 0f 52y

Class 2

14:25 Newbury

Grumpy Charley

11st 5lb

J: Finn Lambert

T: Chris Honour

Pulled up in three of his four chases last season but he did win over 3m2f here on New Year's Eve (soft) off 1lb higher; was a useful hurdler back in the day and wouldn't put it past him to run well.

33/1

5

18th Feb 2023

Good To Soft

3m 4f 97y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Grumpy Charley

11st 0lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Chris Honour

Won at Newbury (3m2f, soft) on New Year's Eve and there can be optimism he'll stay this far; not discounted but he's never run well away from Newbury over fences and he was pulled up at Warwick last time.

16/1

7

14th Jan 2023

Heavy

3m 5f 54y

Class 1

15:00 Warwick

Grumpy Charley

11st 4lb

J: James Bowen

T: Chris Honour

Won at Newbury (2m6f, soft) in December 2021 in his second chase and he was back to life when scoring at that same meeting (3m2f, soft) two weeks ago; back up 6lb but it looks like he has reserves of stamina and he won two hurdle races on heavy; interesting.

8/1

Form: 2P11-1 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 130

Form & Verdict
Gained all four chase wins here, the latest a career-best performance in first-time cheekpieces in October (2m7f, good); faces tougher opposition and competes from 2lb out of the weights today but the forecast slower ground won't be a problem and he can give it a good shot.
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

Form: 3/114/ D

Last run: 681 days

W: 10st 2lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 129

Form & Verdict
Triple chase winner on soft ground in 2020 (3m-3m1f) and may yet have more improvement to come but faces daunting task from 3lb out of the weights on this first start since January 2021.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

5

12th Dec 2023

Soft

3m 1f 30y

Class 4

14:15 Wincanton

Nearly Perfect

11st 10lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Neil King

Completed a double over C&D (soft) in December 2020 and has run just five times since; has tumbled down the weights but for good reason and he needs to turn things around.

20/1

Non-runners

Grumpy Charley, Nearly Perfect

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.80
Straight Forecast £28.28
Tricast £1328.00
Trifecta £1026.00

Selections

The Times:

Wayfinder

RP Ratings:

Farinet

TOPSPEED:

Time To Get Up

POSTDATA:

Caribean Boy

SPOTLIGHT:

Southfield Harvest

The Star:

Secret Reprieve

The Guardian:

Secret Investor

The Sun:

Elegant Escape

Daily Mirror:

Farinet

WEST COUNTRY:

Time To Get Up

Telegraph:

Wayfinder

Daily Mail:

Wayfinder

D Express:

Wayfinder

Daily Record:

Wayfinder

LAMBOURN:

Caribean Boy