Welsh Grand National

The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow is one of the top staying handicap chases of the season and often attracts top-class horses.

The Welsh Grand National takes place on Wednesday 27th December 2023.

The roll of honour for the Welsh National includes winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Grand National.

Famous winners include Burrough Hill Lad (1983), Synchronised (2010), Corbiere (1982), Earth Summit (1997) and Bindaree (2003).

Find out more about the Welsh Grand National:

Welsh Grand National

Race Overview – The Welsh National

The Welsh Grand National takes place on December 27th at Chepstow racecourse, weather permitting.

The race was postponed in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017 and rescheduled for January.

It is a handicap chase over three and three-quarter miles with 23 fences to be jumped.

The going is usually extremely testing and it requires a horse with almost unlimited stamina to win this race.

Famous Welsh Grand National Winners & History

The Welsh Grand National is one of the most prestigious staying chases of the season and was first run in 1895.

It was originally held at Ely in Cardiff and did not take place at Chepstow until 1949 with victory going to Fighting Line.

Coral took over sponsorship in 1973 and it is currently the longest-running sponsorship deal in National Hunt racing.

The Welsh National is often the target of potential Grand National horses. Corbiere (1982), Earth Summit (1997), Bindaree (2003) and Silver Birch (2004) went on win at Aintree. The latter won here for Paul Nicholls but had moved to Gordon Elliott’s stable before his 33-1 victory at Aintree in 2007.

The race has also produced its fair share of Cheltenham Gold Cup winners. Burrough Hill Lad (1983), Cool Ground (1990), Master Oats (1994), Synchronised (2010) and Native River (2016) all claimed jump racing’s blue riband event after winning the Chepstow marathon.

Synchronised attempted the Gold Cup/Grand National double but was tragically killed in a freak accident while galloping loose.

Martin Pipe trained Bonanza Boy to win the race in consecutive seasons in 1988 and 1989. He carried only 10st 1lb for his first victory but defied 11st 11lbs the following year.

Pipe also trained Carvill’s Hill who romped to victory with top weight of 11st 12lbs in 1991. He was immediately made hot favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup but was well beaten in a controversial race won by Cool Ground.

Native River also carried the welter burden of 11st 12lbs to victory when successful in 2016. He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2018 for Colin Tizzard and Richard Johnson. In 2020 he won the Denman Chase at Newbury for the third time in his career.

Mountainous earned his place in the Welsh National record books with victories in 2013 and 2015. He was trained by Richard Lee for his first success with daughter Kerry training him to a memorable second victory.

Welsh Grand National

Welsh Grand National Previous Winners

Year Winner Age Weight Jockey Trainer
1948Bora's Cottage1010-02Eddie ReaveyRyan Price
1949Fighting Line1010-09Dick FrancisKen Cundell
1950Gallery1210-08Alf MullinsWilliam "Rip" Bissill
1951Skyreholme810-13Arthur ThompsonNeville Crump
1952Dinton Lass1010-00Alf MullinsJ Roberts
1953Stalbridge Rock1011-03Bob McCreeryHarry Dufosee
1954Blow Horn1010-06John HunterT Jarvis
1955Monaleen1009-07Paddy FitzgeraldH T Smith
1956Crudwell1011-06Dick FrancisFrank Cundell
1957Creeola II910-05Michael ScudamoreFred Rimell
1958Oscar Wilde809-13Brian LawrenceBill Wightman
1959Limonali810-02David NicholsonEdward Morel
1960Clover Bud1010-10David NicholsonG Llewellin
1961Limonali1011-12David NicholsonI Lewis
1962Forty Secrets810-11Josh GiffordEarl Jones
1963Motel910-06Paddy CowleyW Lowe
1964Rainbow Battle810-00Paddy BroderickArthur Stephenson
1965Norther811-00Terry BiddlecombeD Jenkins
1966Kilburn811-02Tim NormanChris Nesfield
1967Happy Spring1110-04Ken WhiteStan Wright
1968Glenn710-04Eddie HartyFred Rimell
1970French Excuse810-09Terry BiddlecombeFred Rimell
1971Royal Toss910-12Paddy CowleyTim Handel
1972Charlie H1011-03Johnny HaineBob Turnell
1973Deblin's Green1009-12Nigel WakleyGeorge Yardley
1974Pattered810-02Ken WhiteEarl Jones
1976Rag Trade1011-02John BurkeFred Rimell
1979Peter Scot810-02Paul BartonDavid Gandolfo
1980Narvik710-11John FrancomeNeville Crump
1981Peaty Sandy710-03Geordie Dun[a]Helen Hamilton
1982Corbiere710-10Ben de HaanJenny Pitman
1983Burrough Hill Lad710-09John FrancomeJenny Pitman
1984Righthand Man711-05Graham BradleyMonica Dickinson
1985Run and Skip710-08Peter ScudamoreJohn Spearing
1986Stearsby711-05Graham BradleyJenny Pitman
1987Playschool1010-11Paul NichollsDavid Barons
1988Bonanza Boy710-01Peter ScudamoreMartin Pipe
1989Bonanza Boy811-11Peter ScudamoreMartin Pipe
1990Cool Ground810-00Luke HarveyReg Akehurst
1991Carvill's Hill911-12Peter ScudamoreMartin Pipe
1992Run for Free810-09Mark PerrettMartin Pipe
1993Riverside Boy1010-00Richard DunwoodyMartin Pipe
1994Master Oats[b]811-06Norman WilliamsonKim Bailey
1997Earth Summit910-13Tom JenksNigel Twiston-Davies
1998Kendal Cavalier810-00Barry FentonNigel Hawke
1999Edmond710-00Richard JohnsonHenry Daly
2000Jocks Cross910-04Brian CrowleyVenetia Williams
2001Supreme Glory810-00Leighton AspellPat Murphy
2002Mini Sensation910-04Tony DobbinJonjo O'Neill
2003Bindaree910-09Carl LlewellynNigel Twiston-Davies
2004Silver Birch710-05Ruby WalshPaul Nicholls
2005L'Aventure610-04Leighton AspellPaul Nicholls
2006Halcon Genelardais611-03Wayne HutchinsonAlan King
2007Miko de Beauchene710-05Andrew ThorntonRobert Alner
2008Notre Pere711-00Andrew LynchJim Dreaper
2009Dream Alliance810-08Tom O'BrienPhilip Hobbs
2010Synchronised[c]811-06Tony McCoyJonjo O'Neill
2011Le Beau Bai[5]810-01Charlie PosteRichard Lee
2012[d]Monbeg Dude810-01Paul CarberryMichael Scudamore
2013Mountainous810-00Paul MoloneyRichard Lee
2014Emperor's Choice710-08Aidan ColemanVenetia Williams
2015[e]Mountainous1110-06Jamie MooreKerry Lee
2016Native River611-12Richard JohnsonColin Tizzard
2017[f]Raz De Maree1310-10James BowenGavin Cromwell
2018Elegant Escape611-08Tom O'BrienColin Tizzard
2019Potters Corner910-04Jack TudorChristian Williams
2020Secret Reprieve[g]710-01Adam WedgeEvan Williams
2021Iwilldoit810-00Stan SheppardSam Thomas
2022The Two Amigos1010-01David PrichardNicky Martin

Coral Welsh Grand National Previous Result

Key Welsh Grand National Trials

Previous form in this race has been a useful form guide in the past, producing six of the last seventeen winners.

Coral Gold Cup, formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup, has also been a good trial.

The Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase over three miles in early December is an obvious stepping-stone. Le Beau Bai won both races in 2011 and Ramses De Teillee won the trial before finishing second in the Welsh National in 2018.

Welsh Grand National Betting Trends

Favourites have a moderate record in the Welsh Grand National with only two victories in the last twelve seasons.

Native River (2016) and Elegant Escape (2018) were both well-backed favourites trained by Colin Tizzard.

There have been plenty of shock results here. Dream Alliance won at 20-1 in 2009 and later became the subject of a book and film.

Mountainous (2013) also returned at 20-1 while Notre Pere (2008) and Raz De Maree (2017) were both 16-1 shots.

Coral Welsh Grand National 2023 Odds

Here are the latest odds for the Welsh Grand National in December 2023:

Welsh Grand National
  • Date: Tuesday 27th of December 2022
  • Time: 14:50
  • Details: 13 Runners Chepstow.
Quick Wave
4/1
The Galloping Bear
6/1
The Big Dog
13/2
Pats Fancy
9/1
The Big Breakaway
10/1
Punitive
12/1
Threeunderthrufive
14/1
Fortescue
20/1
Wouldubewell
25/1
Time To Get Up
33/1
Grumpy Charley
40/1
Regina Dracones
66/1
Gats And Co
100/1

Coral Welsh Grand National 2023 Tips

Below are our tips for the Welsh Grand National in December 2023:

  • 2 points to win on TBC with high odds of TBC
  • 1 point each way on TBC with odds at TBC

Some of the important horses who are supposed to compete in Wales’ Grade 3 national hunt in December 2021 will be racing through the year. So keep a watch on the market leader to see how they do, or place ante-post betting odds wagers early to locate value.

Welsh Grand National Stats

  • Horses aged six to eight have the best recent record in this race, accounting for nine of the last twelve winners.
  • The exceptions were Mountainous (2015) at the age of eleven, Raz De Maree (2017) aged thirteen and Potters Corner (2019) aged nine.
  • The most successful weights range is 10st to 10st 8lbs.
  • It takes a high-class horse to win with 11st 6lbs or higher. Synchronised (2010), Native River (2016) and Elegant Escape (2018) all achieved this and went on to prove themselves at the highest level.
  • All but one of the last twelve winners had raced within the previous two months.
  • Stamina is key here and three-quarters of them had raced over three and a half miles or further.
  • A rating of 131 or higher is normally required to win the Welsh National and nearly half of recent winners had won a Grade 1 to 3 race.

Top Trainers and Jockeys of The Welsh Grand National

Martin Pipe was the horse racing trainer to follow in this race between 1988 and 1993 with five victories.

No trainer has managed to dominate in recent years. Nigel Twiston-Davies, Paul Nicholls, Jonjo O’Neill, and Colin Tizzard have each won the race twice. Nicholls also won the race as a jockey, riding Playschool to victory over subsequent Grand National winner Rhyme n’ Reason in 1987.

David Nicholson rode three successive Welsh National winners from 1959 to 1961.

Peter Scudamore won the race four times between 1985 and 1991.

Leighton Aspell won on Supreme Glory (2001) and L’Aventure (2005).

Richard Johnson has also won the race twice; Edmond (1999) and Native River (2016).

Betting on the Coral Welsh Grand National 2023

The Welsh Grand National is a very popular betting race with a strong ante-post market in the build-up to Christmas.

As it is a very competitive handicap with a large field, it makes plenty of appeal to each-way backers. Bookmakers will often provide enhanced each-way terms for this race, paying out to fifth or even sixth place.

Welsh Grand National Facts

  • The Welsh Grand National is a Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase held annually at Chepstow Racecourse in Monmouthshire, Wales.
  • The race is run over a distance of 3 miles and 5 furlongs with 22 fences to be jumped.
  • The race was first run in 1895.
  • The race is traditionally held on the 27th of December each year, but in 2020 the race was postponed to the 9th of January due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The most successful jockey in the race is Richard Johnson, who has won the race four times.
  • The most successful trainer in the race is Evan Williams, who has won the race five times.
  • The current record time for the race is 6 minutes and 12.20 seconds, set by Earth Summit in 1998. Another popular winner was Bonanza Boy.
  • Silver Birch, Bindaree and Earth Summit all went on to win the English Grand National after claiming Chepstown success. 

Popular Questions

When is the Welsh Grand National?

The Welsh Grand National takes place on Tuesday 27th December 2022 at Chepstow Racecourse.

What are important facts about Welsh Grand National?

Here are some important facts about Welsh Grand National:

  • The Welsh Grand National is run at Chepstow Racecourse, Great Britain
  • The Welsh Grand National is for horses aged 4 and older
  • The Welsh Grand National is a National Hunt Steeplechase in Great Britain
  • The Welsh Grand National distance is about 3 miles and 6½ furlongs

Summary of the Coral Welsh National Day

The Welsh Grand National is one of the highlights of the Christmas holiday period for racing fans and the pride of Welsh racing with many patriotic Welsh racegoers in attendance every year. It is also a family fun day for all.

There are often some high-class entries and the race can have an impact on ante-post betting for the Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The record of past winners suggests the form is well worth following for the rest of the season from this historic Chepstow event.

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As the Founder of British Racecourses, I have a life-long passion for horse racing and have loved the sport as long as I can remember. I am also a keen racehorse owner and have worked in the gambling industry for several years. I set up British Racecourses with the desire to share my passion for racing with other like-minded people.