Although there are numerous top class race meetings on Saturday, attention switches predominantly to Chepstow, where the 2025 renewal of the Welsh Grand National will be held. Joe Napier has taken a punt at the Placepot on the card, with his selections for the first six races available below.
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Leg 1: 12.00pm – Play Corals Free “Racing-Super-Series” Novices’ Hurdle
Leg 1 Selections: (5) Galashiels
Although it may prove tricky to beat Spectacularsunrise, impressive in two recent victories, Galashiels will be in receipt of 10lb, which could make him very dangerous for Nicky Henderson and it is interesting Nico De Boinville accompanies him to Chepstow. For Placepot purposes, he looks a very likely prospect to make the frame and could easily threaten victory given he was a Listed winner in France, beating no less than 2024 Ascot King George winner Goliath that day. He did not maintain that level of form in two flat runs for Henderson, but he was surely bought with a hurdling career in mind.
Leg 2: 12.30pm – Coral “Daily Rewards Shaker “ Handicap Hurdle
Leg 2 Selections: (2) Cheesy Icon
More impressive in maiden and novice events than the market expected him to be, Cheesy Icon could easily benefit now that he begins his career in handicaps. Mel Rowley’s charge was beaten a head at 33/1 on his latest start at Ludlow behind a previous bumper winner while his own bumper form has aged well in parts. An opening handicap mark of 113 may be a pound or two higher than hoped, but he looks capable of winning at this level at some stage.
Leg 3: 1.05pm – Coral Racing Club “Join For Free” Handicap Chase
Leg 3 Selections: (4) Ballybreeze
The ideal horse for Placepot purposes may well be Ballybreeze for Samuel Drinkwater, with champion jockey Sean Bowen called upon. The nine-year-old won twice in the spring on good ground over fences and ran better than the bare result when fences were omitted at Cheltenham on his return, which he would likely have needed. Down 1lb in the handicap, he is expected to go well in conditions which suit him, having won over track and trip in April.
Leg 4: 1.40pm – Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2)
Leg 4 Selections: (5) Manlaga
Although Macktoad was very impressive at Sandown for the Moores, there is better value in Manlaga, who could easily be the latest off the Henderson production line over 2m. A French import, the filly won her only race on the continent and has arrived with a decent reputation, though finds herself second in the betting because of the favourite’s previous run on these shores. However, while that was some performance by Macktoad, there is always the potential that a Henderson runner could be a superstar and Manlaga won well in France to suggest she will follow in some heady hoofprints.
Leg 5: 2.10pm – Join Coral “Bet £10 Get £50” Handicap Hurdle
Leg 5 Selections: (2) Crebilly, (4) Royal Rambler
If on a going day then the JP McManus owned Crebilly is a much for the Placepot shortlist off a mark of just 129 having been largely competitive on his return at Aintree when ultimately bumping into subsequent Long Walk winner Impose Toi. He is now 11lb lower for this race over hurdles than when second in the Plate at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and 13lb lower than when third over fences at Windsor in January. However, should he sulk, add Royal Rambler to boost your chances. The five-year-old is up in trip, but his best run of last season came on his only start with “good” in the going description, which he will have on Saturday for the first time this season. He has contested two decent handicaps at Cheltenham and Newbury this campaign on soft ground, and took at least two runs to get going last term, so this may well be the one where he gets going.
Leg 6: 2.50pm – Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase
Leg 6 Selections: (9) O’Connell, (10) Collectors Item
Thorough stayers are the order of the day in the Welsh Grand National, with O’Connell and Collectors Item on our shortlist. The former won the London National at Sandown last time with a game staying performance, finding his footing strongly in the closing stages for a yard in superb form, in particular with their staying chasers. Collectors Item is included for his second in the Welsh National Trial at the start of the month behind favourite Jubilee Express, as he meets that rival on 4lb better terms due to the updated handicap and has also been placed himself in the London National before now. He is generally very consistent and should give his running with emphasis on stamina.
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