Welsh Grand National

The Welsh Grand National, a Class 1 Handicap Chase, typically takes place at Chepstow Racecourse during the Christmas meeting in late December. Open to horses aged four and older, it covers a challenging distance of just under three miles and six furlongs with twenty-three fences to be cleared. The race is frequently run on soft or heavy ground, making it particularly demanding.

Welsh Grand National Overview

The Welsh Grand National is one of the toughest National races due to its December timing when weather conditions at Chepstow can be severe. It has been cancelled six times due to waterlogging, frost, or snow, and four of the last ten renewals have been rescheduled to January. With fourteen recent races run on soft or heavy ground, this event favours horses adept in challenging conditions.

Held on Chepstow’s left-handed track, the race often serves as a proving ground for future champions. Past winners Bindaree and Silver Birch later triumphed in the Aintree Grand National, while Synchronised (2010) and Native River (2016) went on to win Cheltenham Gold Cups in 2012 and 2018, respectively.

Welsh Grand National Betting Trends and Statistics

Paul Nicholls has been the leading trainer in the Welsh Grand National over the past 20 years, with two victories (Silver Birch in 2004 and L’Aventure in 2005). Meanwhile, trainers like David Pipe (0-23), Nigel Twiston-Davies (0-22), and Peter Bowen (0-10) have yet to see success despite multiple entries.

Jockeys Caolin Quinn (Nassalam, 2023) and Stan Sheppard (Iwilldoit, 2021) have perfect records, each winning the race on their sole appearance. In contrast, Sam Twiston-Davies has attempted the race eleven times but remains winless.

It is not a bad race if you like to back the favourite. Three of the last seven winners have been sent off as the market leader on the day.

Welsh Grand National History

The Welsh Grand National was first run in 1895 at Ely Racecourse in Cardiff, where it remained until the track closed in 1939. After World War II, the race was moved to Newport Racecourse in 1948 and then to its current location, Chepstow, in 1949.

Dick Francis, who would later become a well-known author, rode the first Chepstow winner, Fighting Line. David Nicholson, who went on to be a successful trainer, rode three consecutive Welsh National winners in 1959, 1960, and 1961.

Originally held on Easter Tuesday, the race moved to February in 1969 to attract higher-quality horses, though this increased the risk of weather-related cancellations. Since 1973, Coral, making it the longest-running sponsorship in jumps racing, has sponsored the race.

The race received Grade 3 status in 1989 when the National Hunt Pattern was revised, and in 2022, it was reclassified as a Premier Handicap, a change introduced by the British Horseracing Authority.

In 1979, the race was rescheduled to late December after snow forced that year’s original February fixture to be cancelled. It is now held annually on December 27, and the calibre of entrants has continued to rise, making it an important preview for races like the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

In 2019, the race distance was extended from 3 miles 5 furlongs and 110 yards to allow for a longer run to the first bend, bringing the total fence count to 23.

Welsh Grand National Winners