It is Welsh Grand National day at Chepstow on Saturday as the racing action keeps coming thick and fast after Christmas. The big staying handicap has attracted a big field for viewers to get stuck into.
Matty Sutcliffe has picked out three best bets on the Chepstow card for you to follow, including a selection in the feature contest.
13:05 Chepstow – Ballybreeze 5/1 1pt WIN
With Jour d’Evasion, Siam Park and Passing Kate all likely to force the pace, this can set up perfectly for the keen going Ballybreeze, who generally is seen to best effect when coming off a strong gallop.
The Schiaparelli gelding was evidently held in a high enough regard by connections to line up in the 2023 Arkle after making an impressive chase debut here. He was out of his depth, though he likely would’ve won at Market Rasen next time out had he not fell three out.
He encountered a brief spell in the doldrums, but after an encouraging run at Newbury in February he returned to the winners enclosure in good style there next time out beating a subsequent G3 Handicap Chase winner in Teddy Blue.
He then backed that up at Chepstow to make it two from two here beating a next time out winner. He blew up on account of fitness on seasonal debut at Cheltenham that’s thrown up a December Gold Cup winner, and should that have brought him on that I’d expect him to capitalise in a slightly weaker affair to make it three from three over fences here.
13:40 Chepstow – Tenter Le Tout 14/1 1pt EW 2 places
Macktoad will prove all the rage after his eased down success at Sandown for the Moore’s on British debut, and the well regarded filly Manlaga could be anything. However, Chester Williams’ Tenter Le Tout was an impressive winner on her hurdles debut at Exeter when cruising past her rivals prior to the last to win with any amount of ease.
She beat the well backed Mwabani trained by Chester’s mother Jane, and the third has since come out and dotted up seven lengths.
Visually it was as impressive as anything we’ve seen in this lineup, and she looks overpriced here to back up that success.
14:50 Chepstow – O’Connell 11/2 1pt WIN
The Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith yard have been kind to the column in staying chases this season with Konfusion and Grand Geste winning the Rehearsal Chase and the Tommy Whittle respectively, so it only appears natural to chance the progressive O’Connell in what looks a stellar Welsh Grand National.
The Westerner gelding completed a hattrick over fences last season including the Lincolnshire National and the Masters Handicap at Sandown, before bumping into a handicap blot when second in the Eider Chase.
He was an eye-catcher on seasonal debut at Carlisle, and backed that run up with a career best effort last time out to take the London National at Sandown. He only ever appears to do enough when in front so a 5lbs rise is no concern, and he can give the in form yard a belated first winner in this race.
FAQs
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s Chepstow tips were published at 2pm on Friday 26 December.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival.
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