Away from the springtime months, the festive period is one of the most rewarding times for racing fans. With the presents opened, turkey devoured, and in-laws seen off for another year, it’s time to settle in with the remaining yuletide treats to savour a feast of sporting action.
The Boxing Day delight of the King George VI Chase serves as the domestic centrepiece, but one day later, Wales gets in on the act as Chepstow stages the staying marvel that is the Welsh Grand National. Held over a marathon trip of 3m6½f and featuring 23 formidable fences, the jewel in the Welsh racing crown has been claimed by equine luminaries such as Earth Summit, Bindaree, Silver Birch, Synchronised, and Native River since making its debut in 1948.
With this year’s edition looming into view, the final field is beginning to take shape, but who will come out on top in 2024?
Monbeg to Deliver at Last
Following a fine third-place finish in the 2023 edition of the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, it appeared only a matter of time until the Jonjo & A J O’Neill-trained Monbeg Genius claimed the top spot on the podium in a significant event. After all, he had found only subsequent Grand National hero Corach Rambler and three-time Grade 1 winner Fastorslow too good on the day.
Over 18 months later, we are still waiting for Monbeg Genius to get his head in front. In four outings during the 2023/24 campaign, the slumping star was pulled up twice and beaten 38 lengths in one outing. The only glimmer of a bright spot came courtesy of a third-placed effort in the Coral Gold Cup.
However, it’s not too late for the eight-year-old, and if the market is to be believed, a big run may be forthcoming on Friday. With former market leader Mr Vango ruled out of the contest, Monbeg Genius is now vying for favouritism across the board. Whilst hard to fancy on the bulk of last season’s form, the son of Shantou showed much more encouragement when finishing second under a welter burden of 12st at Haydock on his seasonal return. Stepping up to this trip for the first time, could he finally have his day in the sun?
Dangers Abound in Competitive Field
On his recent efforts, it remains a guessing game whether Monbeg Genius is up to putting his best hoof forward on the big day. However, even if arriving in peak condition, he will likely have a fight on his hands in a field containing several eye-catching entries, including:
- Broadway Bob – Successful with Aintree Grand National winners Earth Summit (1997) and Bindaree (2003), Nigel Twiston Davies relies on this tough front-runner in 2024. A 20-length winner of a Listed event in 2023, he’s only 4lb higher than when claiming a hot Cheltenham handicap at around this time last year
- Galia Des Liteaux – Yet to hit the mark in this contest, Dan Skelton no doubt has the Welsh Grand National on his to-do list. The £85,425 in first place prize money would certainly aid his mission to become Champion Trainer, and perhaps this talented mare could get the job done. Whilst a little disappointing in the Coral Gold Cup last time, her most recent effort off this mark of 142 saw her go down by a rapidly diminishing ¾l in the Classic Chase at Warwick
- Nassalam – If the heavens open to create heavy ground on the day, don’t be surprised to see this Gary & Josh Moore representative start as the clear favourite. Nassalam simply loves it when the mud is flying, as evidenced by his 34-length success in the 2023 edition of this one
- Trelawne – Kim Bailey’s sole Welsh National success came in 1995 when saddling subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Master Oats to victory. The lightly raced Trelawne has alternative engagements over the festive period but would rate an intriguing contender if allowed to take his chance. Finishing in the frame in four of his completed outings over fences, he saw off the talented Cheltenham Festival winner Iroko last time out at Haydock
- Where It All Began – Gavin Cromwell’s 2017 winner, Raz De Maree, provided the Irish with their last taste of victory in this event. If the prize is to head to the Emerald Isle in 2024, this Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old may be the most likely to plunder the pot. Last sighted finishing a respectable eighth in the Irish Grand National, he ruined his chance with a couple of jumping errors that day and is 1lb lower here