BREAKING NEWS: Coral Welsh Grand National postponed until January
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | December 26, 2015
The Coral-sponsored Welsh Grand National meeting at Chepstow has been called off and rescheduled for January 9th 2016 because of heavy rain.
Following an 8am inspection on Boxing Day, the course is waterlogged and further heavy rain expected before the big race, which was due to be held at 14:35 GMT on Sunday, December 27th.
Tomorrow's @Coral Welsh Grand National has been abandoned – course waterlogged with more rain to come. Race re-scheduled for Sat 9th Jan.
— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) December 26, 2015
Clerk of the course Keith Ottesen said: “There was every chance this was going to happen and we have done it before.
“It’s due to be a drizzly day on Saturday and then another band of rain is forecast to move through with rain from midnight until virtually 12:00 on Sunday which would give us another 8-10mm, which we just can’t take.”
“We’re pleased to be able to rearrange the day. The original 72 entries for the Coral Welsh Grand National stand and entries for all other races reopen with entries now closing on 4 January. Details will be updated on the British Horseracing Authority Admin site.”
Jonjo O’Neill gelding Upswing remains Coral’s 8/1 joint-favourite for the Welsh Grand National, which will now be run in a fortnight’s time on Saturday, January 9th 2016.
Venetia Williams horse Emperor’s Choice, who won the race last year, and 2013 victor Mountainous are both bidding to claim the Chepstow showpiece for a second time.
“All ante post bets remain valid”
Simon Clare, Coral’s PR and broadcast director, added: “It’s obviously disappointing and frustrating for everyone involved to lose the Coral Welsh Grand National to the weather, especially for the Chepstow team who’ve worked so hard over the festive period. I feel for them particularly.
“Thankfully we will now follow what is a well-trodden path to make sure that this great race and meeting still takes place, with all parties pulling together to make it happen in 13 days’ time.
“The £100k Coral National Bonus will still be offered to connections of any horse that wins both the Coral Welsh Grand National and the Coral Scottish Grand National in 2016.
“All ante post bets struck with Coral on the race since the original entry stage will remain valid, and any ante post bets settled as losers at subsequent confirmation and forfeit stages will now be revived.
“Given the unique set of circumstances however, Coral will as an ex gratia gesture allow customers to void their ante post bets if they wish to do so due to the rescheduling of the race, and they have until midnight on 31 December to contact our customer service team and let them know. After that date all ante post bets will stand all in run or not.”
Related
There’s still plenty more festive horse racing on, so check out Coral’s section on the sport of kings!
