Two leading Welsh Grand National contenders proving popular as going softens

Your one-stop shop for the day's big-race action at Chepstow, Kempton, Leopardstown and Limerick.

Leading Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50) contenders Ask Me Early and The Big Dog are being backed to topple favourite Quick Wave in the Chepstow showpiece this afternoon.

The duo are now both general 5-1 second-favourites to land the spoils, while Ask Me Early is as short as 9-2 (from 7) for the marathon contest.

The Big Dog, who leads the Irish team, is no stranger to big-race handicap success, having won the Punchestown Grand National trial in 2021.

However, he has taken his form to new levels this term, winning the Munster National and the Troytown Handicap Chase from his two starts.

However, the Peter Fahey-trained star must contend with topweight of 12st as bids to exact his revenge in the Welsh National, having been pulled up last year when his jockey lost his irons.

Home team depleted as Pats Fancy is ruled out of the Welsh National

Pats Fancy, the leading hope for Wales in the Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50), has been ruled out of the race having suffered heat in his leg.

The Rebecca Curtis-trained seven-year-old was short as 10-1 to give the trainer a famous 'home team' success, but has been taken out of the marathon contest on raceday morning.

Curtis will still rely on the Adam Wedge-ridden Wayfinder in the race, who is a 28-1 outsider and will be the sole Welsh representative in the contest.

The field for the race has been reduced to 17 after Gats And Co, also trained in Wales by David Brace, was scratched due to being lame.

Leading juvenile Scriptwriter ruled out of Finale Hurdle due to the ground

Leading Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1.40) contender Scriptwriter has been ruled out of the race due to the going.

The Milton Harris-trained three-year-old had been one of the leading principals for the Grade 2 contest having been successful in a similar race at Cheltenham's November meeting.

However, he has been ruled out of the race in account of the ground at the Welsh track, which is described as good to soft, good in places.

His absence leaves Irish challenger Comfort Zone as the odds-on favourite for the Finale, having had his third-place effort at Fairyhouse boosted by Lossiemouth's win at Leopardstown yesterday.

Perseus Way, who finished second behind Scriptwriter at Cheltenham before winning at Leicester, is next best in the betting at 4-1.

Posted at 9.15am

Non-runners

Chepstow

12.00 13 Mr Biggs
1.40 2 Scriptwriter
2.10 3 Lynwood Gold
2.50 18 Gats And Co, 5 Pats Fancy

Kempton

3.09 13 Belargus
3.40 15 Privatory

Going changes to soft for Welsh National day

The going at Chepstow for its Welsh National card has been eased to soft after rain hit the track during the afternoon.

Around 2mm of rain fell overnight at the course and persistent rain between 5-10mm was forecast, with the going changed to soft (from good soft, good in places) just after 1pm.

The going at Kempton for the second day of their Christmas meeting is also soft, but there is a risk of heavy showers in the afternoon at the track.

The feature race on its card is the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (2.30), which features a fascinating clash between Tingle Creek Chase winner Edwardstone and Nube Negra.

The ground at Leopardstown ahead of the second day of their four-day fixture is soft on the hurdle course, and yielding, soft in places on the chase track.

At Limerick, the going remains soft to heavy, heavy in places despite 4mm of rain hitting the track during yesterday's card.

Posted at 9.15am

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Read Tuesday's previews:

1.10 Leopardstown: Paul Townend: 'This is Chacun's playground and whatever beats him will win'

1.20 Kempton: Is Boothill's bid for Wayward Lad success as simple as his odds suggest?

1.29 Limerick: Can Gordon Elliott strike again? Analysis and quotes for the Limerick feature

1.40 Chepstow: He's improving, big time' - find out which huge Finale outsider is fancied

1.45 Leopardstown: Easy work for Facile Vega? Irish racing's next big thing tackles Grade 1 novice

2.30 Kempton: 'This race fits in perfectly' - Edwardstone primed to play the star role again

2.50 Chepstow: 2022 Welsh Grand National pinstickers' guide: quotes and ratings for every horse

3.00 Leopardstown: Paddy Power Chase: key quotes and insight for one of Ireland's biggest handicaps

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