22 left in cracking Welsh Grand National at confirmation stage - plus four key talking points from Saturday's entries

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Trainer Sam Thomas will rely solely on ante-post favourite Jubilee Express as he seeks a second victory in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Saturday.

Thomas, who was successful in Wales's biggest race in 2021 with Iwilldoit, had another leading contender in Shomen Uchi but confirmed only last year's runner-up Jubilee Express for the race as 22 runners went forward on Monday.

Jubilee Express reaffirmed his position at the head of the market by winning this month's trial at the track after which Thomas described the eight-year-old as "the perfect horse for a Welsh Grand National". 

Another unusually dry Welsh Grand National not ideal for Sam Thomas - but he wouldn't swap his big-race favourite 'for anyone' 

Haiti Couleurs is another intriguing entry for Wales in a race the home team has dominated in recent years, with Rebecca Curtis looking for a first win in the contest with last April's Irish Grand National hero. The Pembrokeshire trainer has also confirmed Pats Fancy.

Among the potential opposition is last season's Midlands Grand National winner Mr Vango, who will be suited by stepping up in distance after his short-head defeat in this month's Becher Chase.

The Jamie Snowden-trained Git Maker is another with strong staying chase form, having finished third in the Scottish National in 2024, while this month's London National winner O'Connell is in line to represent the in-form Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith stable.

Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50 Chepstow, December 27)

Intense Raffles Tom Gibney
Haiti Couleurs Rebecca Curtis
Mr Vango Sara Bradstock
Nassalam Gary and Josh Moore
Monbeg Genius Jonjo and AJ O'Neill
Rock My Way Joe Tizzard
Tanganyika Venetia Williams
Collectors Item Jonjo and AJ O'Neill
Git Maker Jamie Snowden
Uncle Bert Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
O'Connell Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith
Deafening Silence Dan Skelton
Where It All Began Gordon Elliott
Livin On Luco Philip Hobbs and Johnson White
Dom Of Mary James Owen
Hung Jury Martin Keighley
Jubilee Express Sam Thomas
Beaufort Scale Gordon Elliott
Pats Fancy Rebecca Curtis
Holokea Mickey Bowen
De Legislator Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore
Onethreefivenotout Gordon Elliott

Four key talking points from Saturday's entries 

Strong hand for home team in Welsh National 

Potters Corner ended a 54-year wait for a home winner of the Welsh Grand National in 2019 and the floodgates opened with Secret Reprieve (Evan Williams) and Iwilldoit (Sam Thomas) making it a hat-trick for Wales. 

Even when the run was brought to a halt by The Two Amigos in 2022 the connection was still strong with Welsh jockey David Prichard enjoying a famous win. 

Optimism will be high for another home win with Jubilee Express joined by Haiti Couleurs near the head of the market, and Pats Fancy and Holokea also on course for the race.

More juvenile success for the Moores?

The Gary Moore stable attempts a third win in five years in Chepstow's Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle with the exciting Macktoad putting his unbeaten record on the line.

Macktoad leads over the final flight on his way to victory at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The French-bred, who won a bumper at Vichy, left a lasting impression when sauntering home at Sandown on his first start for Gary and Josh Moore, in a race the yard won with Goshen before his last-flight unseat in the Triumph Hurdle when well clear.

Pointers for that Cheltenham Festival might be strong at Chepstow as Macktoad could face Manlaga, who is also priced at 12-1 for the Triumph ahead of her debut for trainer Nicky Henderson and owner JP McManus. She has an alternative entry at Kempton on the same day.

Prolific Thistle Ask out to resume progress

Haldon Gold Cup winner Thistle Ask could return to action in Kempton's Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase on Saturday.

The Dan Skelton-trained eight-year-old racked up a remarkable hat-trick of wins in 13 days at Exeter last time and could renew rivalry with Haldon Gold Cup runner-up Saint Segal, who has since won a valuable race at Kelso.

Numbers game for Mambonumberfive

Ben Pauling has been keen to exploit Mambonumberfive's four-year-old allowance over fences and Saturday's Grade 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices' Chase at Kempton could be up next.

Winner of the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at the track in February, Mambonumberfive has proved a natural over fences with wins at Aintree and Newbury, and Pauling will drop a big hint if heading to Kempton rather than the novice handicap chase at Aintree a day earlier.

Read more . . .

'He's like a caged bull' - Haiti Couleurs back in rude health and on the Welsh Grand National trail 

Welsh Grand National 'a real possibility' for Mr Vango after gallant Becher second - with ground set to be 'the deciding factor' 

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