Welsh Grand National 2023
The Welsh Grand National is one of the National Hunt highlights of the festive season, as well as providing some early pointers for Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, so find out all you need to know ahead of the Chepstow showpiece, including the Welsh Grand National runners.
Welsh Grand National Runners
The confirmed Welsh Grand National runners and riders will be announced in the days leading up to the race at Chepstow on 27th December, with the field being whittled down to a maximum of 20 runners shortly beforehand. The Welsh National ante-post contenders are generally well established ahead of the race, and include a mixture of former Grand National runners and likely entrants into the following year’s race.
Quick Wave went off as the 2022 Welsh Grand National favourite, having already won the London National earlier in December, while Welsh Grand National contenders included The Galloping Bear who finished first in January’s Grand National Trial before being disqualified, and previous Grand National runner Fortescue. The full list of Welsh National runners for 2022, and their respective odds, are detailed below.
| Welsh Grand National Runners | Welsh Grand National Odds |
|---|---|
| Quick Wave | 4/1 Fav |
| Ask Me Early | 5/1 |
| The Galloping Bear | 11/2 |
| The Big Breakaway | 12/1 |
| Truckers Lodge | 12/1 |
| Fortescue | 16/1 |
| Movethechains | 16/1 |
| The Two Amigos | 16/1 |
| Regina Dracones | 22/1 |
| Wayfinder | 25/1 |
| Musical Slave | 25/1 |
| Cyclop | 25/1 |
| Time To Get Up | 25/1 |
| Wouldubewell | 28/1 |
| Fantastikas | 33/1 |
| D’Jango | 150/1 |
Welsh Grand National – What you need to know
How long is the Welsh Grand National, when’s it held and where’s it run?
The Welsh Grand National is a handicap chase run over 3 miles and 6½ furlongs at Chepstow racecourse between Christmas and New Year. The race is one of the most important staying chases of the season, and there are 23 obstacles. There’s no racing in Britain and Ireland for three days leading up to Christmas Day, heightening the anticipation when racing starts up again on Boxing Day. The last Coral Welsh Grand National took place on 27th December 2022, with the next running on Wednesday 27 December 2023 at 2.50pm. Since 2003, two Welsh Grand National winners have gone on to win the Aintree Grand National and two have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
During the period between Christmas and the New Year, the Welsh Grand National is one of the feature races. This race is seen as a good trial for the Grand National at Aintree in April, with horses that ran well at Chepstow attracting attention in the Aintree Grand National betting markets.
How many runners are there in the Welsh Grand National and what are the each-way terms?
The number of runners in the Welsh Grand National is limited to 20 horses, which means bookmakers are obliged to settle bets on at least the first four places at ¼ the odds. However, in reality we can expect some bookmakers to offer enhanced place terms, so they’re paying out on the first five finishers – Betfair and Paddy Power are among those doing so.
Past Welsh Grand National Winners
Previous Welsh Grand National winners often go on to enjoy further success elsewhere. Native Winner won the Welsh National in 2016 but is best known for his 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup victory, while Synchronised is another horse to have won both races. You have to go back a little further to find the last Welsh National winner to also triumph in the Grand National though, courtesy of both Silver Birch and Bindaree.
2022 – The Two Amigos (16/1)
2021 – Iwilldoit (13/2)
2020 – Secret Reprieve (5/2 fav)
2019 – Potters Corner (8/1)
2018 – Elegant Escape (3/1 fav)
2017 – Raz De Maree (16/1)
2016 – Native River (11/4 fav)
2015 – Mountainous (9/1)
2014 – Emperor’s Choice (9/1)
2013 – Mountainous (20/1)
2012 – Monbeg Dude (10/1)
2011 – Le Beau Bai (10/1)
2010 – Synchronised (5/1)
2009 – Dream Alliance (20/1)
2008 – Notre Pere (16/1)
2007 – Miko de Beauchene (13/2)
2006 – Halcon Genelardais (7/1)
2005 – L’Aventure (14/1)
2004 – Silver Birch (10/3 fav)
2003 – Bindaree (10/1)
2002 – Mini Sensation (8/1)
Welsh Grand National Results 2022
The most recent Welsh Grand National took place in it’s familiar spot of 27th December. The Welsh National’s ante post favourite was Quick Wave, trained by Venetia Williams and ridden by Charlie Deutsch, but the mare lost a right-fore shoe and was never in contention.
Instead, heavy rain played into the hands of The Two Amigos, with the 10 year-old backed in from 40/1 to 16/1 in the days and hours leading up to the race. The win proved third time lucky in the Welsh Grand National for The Two Amigos, having finished second two years ago and fifth back in 2019, while also providing jockey David Prichard with the biggest win of his career so far.
Here’s the official result for the Welsh Grand National 2022:
| Position | Horse | Odds | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Two Amigos | 16/1 | David Prichard |
| 2 | The Big Breakaway | 12/1 | Brendan Powell |
| 3 | The Big Dog | 11/2 | Aidan Coleman |
| 4 | Truckers Lodge | 12/1 | Freddie Gingell |
| 5 | Movethechains | 16/1 | Jamie Moore |
Welsh Grand National Tips and Trends
Looking at betting trends is a popular way of narrowing down the potential winners in a handicap containing many runners, so here’s some tips and trends from the last 21 Welsh Grand Nationals to set you on the way to finding the next Welsh Grand National winner.
Key Welsh National Betting Trends
21/21 – Had won between one and five chases
21/21 – Had run no less than seven weeks earlier
20/21 – Had already tasted victory over 3+ miles, with Miko de Beauchene (2007) the exception
19/21 – Finished in top four on their previous run
18/21 – Aged 9 years old or less, with The Two Amigos (2022) a recent anomaly
17/21 – Carried no more than 11 stones in weight
15/21 – Carried no more than 10 stones 8 pounds
14/21 – Aged 8 years old or less
14/21 – Won Welsh National at 10/1 or shorter
10/21 – Winning horse was Irish-bred
10/21 – Had already won over the Chepstow fences
10/21 – Favourite failed to finish in the top four
9/21 – Winner won their previous race
7/21 – Ran at Chepstow in their previous race
6/21 – Had previously run in the Welsh National
5/21 – Winning horse was French-bred
4/21 – Winning favourites
2/21 – Trained by Colin Tizzard
2/21 – Trained by Jonjo O’Neill
2/21 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
- The average SP of the winners over the last 10 years is about 9/1.
- Elegant Escape was aged six when winning in 2018 so is the youngest winner this century.
- Native River carried most weight when winning the race in 2016.
- Since 2002, eight winners started at double figure odds.
- None of the last 10 winners went off at odds of greater than 20/1.
- Four of the last five winners won at shorter than 10/1, which is relatively high for such a competitive handicap.
- The most recent dual winners of the Welsh National are Bonanza Boy (1988 and 1989) and Mountainous (2013 and 2015).
- The winning jockey in 2018 was Tom O’Brien, who also rode the winner in 2009. He’s the only multiple winning jockey this century.
Some of the horses that ran well in this horse racing competition became leading contenders and popular Grand National tips. Both races are run over extreme distances which means horses that are suited to the Welsh Grand National are also suited to the main Grand National.
Best bookmakers to bet on the Welsh Grand National 2023
There is a wide variety of bookmakers offering a range of betting markets for the Welsh Grand National. Each bookmaker below has a welcome offer for new customers, so pick the one that meets your needs the best.
Welsh Grand National FAQs
Find answers to all the big questions surrounding the Welsh Grand National in the section below
Where is the Welsh Grand National held?
The Welsh Grand National is held at Chepstow racecourse, first moving to the current venue back in 1949.
What date is the Welsh Grand National 2023?
The Welsh Grand National is scheduled to take place on 27th December 2023. There have been 5 occasions since 2010 when inclement weather has caused the race to be delayed until the following January, but it is currently set for the Bank Holiday directly after Boxing Day.
What time is the Welsh Grand National 2023?
The Welsh Grand National is scheduled to start at 2.50pm on Wednesday 27th December 2023.
Where can I watch the Welsh Grand National 2023?
There are a number of ways to watch the 2023 Welsh Grand National, including on ITV4 and Sky Sports Racing, while the majority of bookmakers will also provide free streaming for the race. Log in to your existing bookmaker’s account, or create a new one, navigate to Chepstow, and you’ll be able to bet and watch the Welsh Grand National at the same place.
How much is the Welsh Grand National prize money?
Prize money for the Welsh Grand National is set at £150,000, with the winner set to receive £85,425.
Who are the runners in the Welsh Grand National?
The confirmed Welsh Grand National runners will be announced in the hours leading up to the race, with a cap of 20 horses in total.
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