With the Kempton Christmas Meeting in England and the Leopardstown festive bonanza in full swing over in Ireland, Friday sees Wales grab a slice of the yule-tide fun. First run in 1895, the Welsh Grand National stands tall above all other events as the biggest race of the Welsh racing year.
The 3m6½f trip isn’t as demanding as the 4m2½f of the Aintree version, nor are the Chepstow fences as formidable. Nevertheless, this £150,000 (as of 2024) contest provides a stern examination of the staying power and jumping ability of the field. Landed by future Aintree and Cheltenham Gold Cup heroes in the past, this high-class handicap is one of the biggest betting heats of the winter months.
Following the final declarations, we have an each-way-friendly field of 16 runners and riders set to go to post for the 2024 edition. England, Ireland, Scotland, and, of course, Wales are all represented, in what promises to be a compelling edition of this traditional festive highlight.
Welsh Grand National: Confirmed Field of Runners and Riders
| Number | Horse | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fontaine Collonges | Ned Fox | Venetia Williams |
| 2 | Iwilldoit | Callum Pritchard | Sam Thomas |
| 3 | Monbeg Genius | Nick Schofield | Jonjo & A J O’Neill |
| 4 | Galia Des Liteaux | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton |
| 5 | Stuzzikini | Jordan Gainford | Gordon Elliott |
| 6 | Iron Bridge | Jonjo O’Neill Jr | Jonjo & A J O’Neill |
| 7 | Where It All Began | Sean Bowen | Gordon Elliott |
| 8 | Your Own Story | Derek Fox | Lucinda Russell |
| 9 | The Newest One | Sam Twiston-Davies | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 10 | Jubilee Express | Dylan Johnston | Sam Thomas |
| 11 | Val Dancer | Charlie Hammond | Mel Rowley |
| 12 | Amateur | Jack Tudor | John & Rhys Flint |
| 13 | No Hubs No Hoobs | Brendan Powell | Joe Tizzard |
| 14 | Atlanta Brave | Adam Wedge | Kerry Lee |
| 15 | Evies Vladimir | Conor Stone-Walsh | Gavin Cromwell |
| 16 | Classic Concorde | Connor Brace | David Brace |
Highlights
Heading the betting for the 2024 edition is a horse many believed would have at least one major handicap success to his name now. Yet to hit the heights following a fine third to Corach Rambler and Fastorslow in the 2023 Ultima Handicap Chase, could this be the day Monbeg Genius gets his nose in front? If Monbeg Genius fails to deliver, the O’Neill team has a strong second string to their bow in 2023 runner-up Iron Bridge.
Next in line is one of only two mares in the field, the Dan Skelton-trained Galia Des Liteaux. A Grade 2 winner in January 2023, she has yet to score over quite this far. However, her stamina only gave way in the closing stages of the Aintree Grand National, and she ran a mighty race under top weight when second in the 3m5f Classic Chase.
Welsh trainer Sam Thomas sends two to post in his bid to land a second Welsh Grand National. Having come home in front in the 2021 edition, we know Iwilldoit enjoys this test. Can he repeat the feat off a 7lb higher mark with his 12th birthday edging ever closer? The market suggests Jubilee Express is the more likely of the Thomas runners to prevail. Last sighted slogging through the Haydock mud to claim a 3m4½f handicap in March, he’s only 4lb higher here.
Last successful in 2017, the Irish send three in pursuit of the prize in 2024. Where It All Began heads the Gordon Elliott duo as he bids to improve on his eighth-placed effort in the Irish Grand National: a 1lb lower mark and the application of first-time blinkers may help his cause. Stuzzikini also makes the trip over from Cullentra House and arrives in form, having claimed the Troytown Chase in fine style. Gavin Cromwell’s Evies Vladimir completes the Irish trio. Travelling well when falling three from home at Fairyhouse last time, he represents a handler who saddled Raz De Maree to victory in 2017.
Others to note include Fontaine Collonges, who goes for the in-form Venetia Williams team but needs to prove she stays this far, and The Newest One, who represents the father/son Twiston-Davies duo and suggested a step up in trip may be in order when staying on over 3m2f at Cheltenham.
