ITV Racing Preview: Secret Reprieve to storm the Coral Welsh Grand National?
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Odds and preview for Saturday’s racing at Kempton, Wincanton and Chepstow
This weekend’s ITV racing picks include the highly-awaited Coral feature day at Chepstow – including the Coral Welsh Grand National.
Other highlights include the Grade 1 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle Race at Chepstow, as well as a host of Graded races from Kempton and Wincanton. We’ve taken a look at three of the day’s biggest races below…
Kempton Park
13:10 The Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Handicap Steeple Chase
13:45 The Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Handicap Steeple Chase
14:20 The Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle Race (Grade 2)
14:55 The Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
15:30 The Ladbrokes Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle Race (Listed)
Wincanton
14:05 The Dipper Novices’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
14:35 The Handicap Steeple Chase
15:45 The RTV Handicap Steeple Chase
Chepstow
13:25 The Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
15:10 The Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase (Grade 3)
The hotly-tipped Nassalem is looking to make it three wins in three races, as the Gary Moore trained four-year-old looks to build on impressive juvenile performances after being purchased from France.
Another French recruit – Houx Gris – is one to be watched here after being bought for €200,000 by Paul Nicholls, a two-time winner here in recent years.
Adagio also looks set to be a worthy contender, with two juvenile wins, including one at Warwick – as well as 2nd place in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham.
All four entries here are worthy of serious consideration, but it’s Kim Bailey’s Imperial Aura who is considered the most progressive, having won or placed in every start so far – including three consecutive wins as a chaser.
Ridersonthestorm came out of the blocks with a hat-trick of wins last season, including an impressive win in the Ascot Chase. Failed to impress in the only start this term, so perhaps has something to prove here.
Both Clondaw Castle and Master Tommytucker can boast wins already this season, though the latter struggled after running as a pacesetter at Cheltenham back in December.
After an impressive run at the Welsh Grand National Trial in December, Secret Reprieve looks well-suited to this marathon run and is set to carry a manageable 4lb penalty. While another 12-length win seems unlikely, there’s plenty more to come from him.
Bryony Frost will be aboard Yala Enki, with the jockey looking to continue her success in big races after winning the King George VI on Boxing Day. Yala Enki placed in two previous entries here and will look to replicate or better that.
A strong field includes The Two Amigos, Springfield Fox, Christmas in April and plenty of other serious contenders.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
