Welsh Grand National Form Guide 2011
Assessing the form of the Coral Welsh National can be very tricky as the race comes quite early in the season. Not all the leading contenders in the race have been seen yet this season which it makes this race notoriously difficult to call but as always there are some pointers to take into account.
Latest Welsh Grand National 2011 Odds
There are many novices in the race where it is impossible to say whether they will be able to negotiate the fences and stay the long trip on likely soft ground. As and when we start to get confirmation of potential runners for the race at Chepstow we will have all of their form available for punters to study.
Welsh Grand National Form 2011
Carruthers
Carruthers has been slashed in the Welsh National Betting after he won the Hennessy Gold Cup so well recently. The popular front runner was a brilliant winner at Newbury for the owner Lord Oaksey and connections are now aiming him towards a tilt at Chepstow at Christmas time. We know he likes a little bit of cut in the ground which he will get in Wales, he will bowl along at the front and has to be given serious respect based on his Hennessy run.
Latest Carruthers Welsh Grand National Odds
Galaxy Rock
Jonjo O'Neill is likely to send Galaxy Rock to Chepstow this season along with stable mate Synchronised leaving jockey AP McCoy with a tough decision on his hands. Galaxy Rock was extremely impressive last time out when winning the Rewards4racing Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and looks ideally suited to the Welsh National. He is still a young horse who is improving which is a massive plus for him and given the fact that he will carry under 11st he has be given plenty of respect in the betting.
Galaxy Rock Welsh Grand National 2011 Odds
Giles Cross
The Victor Dartnall horse Giles Cross ran a massive race at Chepstow in 2010 to finish second behind Synchronised and he looks in form as he goes for the repeat. He has had just the one run this season when he won the Southern National at Fontwell in some style. That day he won despite top weight and his jumping looked bomb proof which is a massive plus ahead of the Welsh National. He will have to find something against Synchronised when they rematch and it may be that he had his best chance last season, he will jump well though and it is not hard to see him in the shake up once again this year.
Latest Giles Cross Welsh Grand National 2011 Odds
As De Fer
The relatively small yard of trainer Anthony Honeyball could be represented at Chepstow by the exciting young chaser, As De Fer. The horse ran really well last time out when winning a Handicap Chase in style at Ffos Las over three miles on soft ground and looks a progressive sort. The horse was far too good for the field and clearly enjoys some cut in the ground which should stand him in good stead for Chepstow and he is clearly a horse to watch. The negative about As de Fer is the fact that at five he is a still a young horse in this company and at this stage no one can be sure how he will fare, could be anything.
As De Fer Welsh Grand National 2011 Win Odds
Le Beau Bai
The Richard Lee horse loves a tough slog and could run a massive race at Chepstow this Christmas. We last saw him winning the Memorial Handicap chase at Chepstow at the start of the month on heavy ground and on hat form he has to be one for the shortlist. He was pulled up earlier in the season behind winner Giles Cross in the Southern National which is a worry but his win at Chepstow seems to have put him back on the right track. Le Beau Bai looks well handicapped and will enjoy the testing conditions so has to be one to respect here at a decent price.
Latest Le Beau Bai Welsh Grand National 2011 Odds
Welsh National Form Considerations
1. Consider all entries that have run over the Chepstow Racecourse as it is a very undulating course and this does not suit many horses as a lot of horses will only show their best form on flat tracks.
2. Consider all horses that have run in the Welsh National the year before especially those who performed well.
3. Make sure you look at horses that love the soft ground.
4. It is best if your selection has had one outing in the build up to the race as race fitness is key.
With these pointers in mind we suggest you now review our form profile for the main contenders and this will be available in the days leading up to the race. See current Welsh National Odds here.
