Welsh Grand National 2026 ante-post guides
Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase ante-post tips and trends
Updated 10 November 2026. Ante-post markets move a lot before March, so we refresh this guide after the key trials.
The Welsh Grand National is a marathon handicap chase over about three miles six and a half furlongs at Chepstow, worth £170,000. This year it moves from its usual 27 December slot to Bank Holiday Monday, 28 December, as part of racing's new Festive Four. Rebecca Curtis' Haiti Couleurs won it last year at 5/1 and has since become a Grade 1 winner, so he's unlikely to be back. Entries and weights aren't out yet and there's no reliable market, so this is an early look based on trends and last year's placed horses. Expect the picture to change after the Coral Gold Cup and the Welsh National Trial. Updated 10 November 2026.
This is an early pick before entries are made. He ran a fine race to finish third last year off a light weight, then nearly finished third in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, so he stays and handles testing races. His trainer is the reigning champion. He'll need a prep run this season, as every winner in the last ten years had one.
Key trends (2016 to 2025 (10 runnings; 2017 and 2020 rerun in January))
| All 10 winners had already run that season | Every winner in the last ten years had at least one run before Chepstow, so look for horses who've had a prep in November or early December. |
| 7 of the last 10 winners were aged six to eight | Native River, Elegant Escape and Nassalam were six, Secret Reprieve and Val Dancer seven, and Iwilldoit and Haiti Couleurs eight. The exceptions were Potters Corner (9), The Two Amigos (10) and 13-year-old Raz De Maree. |
| 3 of the last 10 winners won the Welsh National Trial first | Secret Reprieve, Iwilldoit and Nassalam all won the trial over about three miles at Chepstow in early December before winning the big one. |
| Welsh-based trainers have won four of the last seven | Christian Williams (Potters Corner, 2019), Evan Williams (Secret Reprieve, 2020 renewal), Sam Thomas (Iwilldoit, 2021) and Rebecca Curtis (Haiti Couleurs, 2025). |
| Every winner since 2016 started at 16/1 or shorter | Raz De Maree and The Two Amigos, both 16/1, were the biggest prices. Secret Reprieve (5/2), Native River (11/4) and Elegant Escape (3/1) all won from near the top of the market. |
| 4 of the last 10 winners carried 11st 6lb or more | Native River, Elegant Escape, Nassalam and Haiti Couleurs all won from high in the weights, so a class horse can defy a big burden. Iwilldoit won off the minimum 10st in 2021. |
| Soft or heavy ground in at least seven of the last ten | Chepstow in late December is usually testing. Two renewals in the last ten years, 2017 and 2020, were lost to the weather on the day and rerun in January. |
The main contenders
Third in this last year at 28/1, beaten just over four lengths. Then ran a big race in the Grand National Trial at Haydock in February, only touched off for third on the line. Champion trainer Skelton knows how to target these big staying handicaps.
Against: Pulled up in the Midlands National in March and hasn't run yet this season. He's nine, older than most recent winners.
Second in this last year, beaten three lengths, three weeks after winning the London National at Sandown. Clearly stays the trip and handles Chepstow.
Against: He's ten now, and only one winner in the last ten years was that old. Needs a prep run, as every recent winner had one.
Won this in 2024 at 8/1 and was third in the Becher Chase at Aintree last December. His trainer says he wants a slow surface, which Chepstow usually provides at this time of year.
Against: Pulled up on good to soft at Bangor in March, and he's nine. Didn't run in last year's race.
Second in this in 2024 and won the Welsh National Trial last December. His trainer won it with Iwilldoit in 2021. Ran second in the Devon National in February.
Against: Pulled up in last year's race when 9/2 after a mistake at the 14th. He's nine now.
Won this last year at 5/1 and has since won the Denman Chase and the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Down Royal. Proven over the course and trip.
Against: Curtis has said she favours the Savills Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas and wants to keep him fresh, so he's very unlikely to defend his title.
Prices are a rough guide to the ante-post market when this guide was updated, not an offer.
What the tipsters say
- Chepstow Racecourse: Calls the race the jewel in the crown of its jumps season and confirms the move to Bank Holiday Monday, 28 December, with £170,000 in prize money.
- Racing Post: Reported that Rebecca Curtis is leaning towards the Savills Chase for Haiti Couleurs after his Down Royal win, keeping him fresh for the bigger targets.
Key trials to watch
- Coral Gold Cup, Newbury (28 November 2026)
- Welsh Grand National Trial, Chepstow (Early December 2026)
- London National, Sandown (Early December 2026)
- Becher Chase, Aintree (Early December 2026)
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FAQs
- What is Pat's NAPs' ante-post pick for the Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase?
- Deafening Silence. This is an early pick before entries are made. He ran a fine race to finish third last year off a light weight, then nearly finished third in the Grand National Trial at Haydock, so he stays and handles testing races. His trainer is the reigning champion. He'll need a prep run this season, as every winner in the last ten years had one.
- What are the key Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase trends?
- All 10 winners had already run that season. 7 of the last 10 winners were aged six to eight. 3 of the last 10 winners won the Welsh National Trial first.
- When is the Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase?
- Monday 28 December 2026, Chepstow, over 3m6½f. The Welsh Grand National 2026 runs Monday 28 December 2026.
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