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

The Welsh National is one of the highlights over the festive period with a field of 19 heading to Chepstow for the country's biggest race. The home team has won the prize for the last three years but they face challengers aplenty this season.

2.50 Chepstow Tuesday: Coral Welsh Grand National racecard

1 The Big Dog

Star rating: ****

Pulled up in this last season but Ireland's main challenger arrives in tremendous form after victories in the Munster National and Troytown Chase. Could enjoy a more fruitful visit this time.

Trainer Peter Fahey:"We're delighted to have Aidan Coleman to take the ride on him, with Keith Donoghue being unable to be at Chepstow. He travelled over before Christmas and seems in good form. He was very good last time in the Troytown."

2 The Big Breakaway

Star rating: ***

Has the ability to win but disappointed in final run last season when jumping left. Latest second was a better effort so a revival cannot be ruled out. Live each-way player.

Trainer Joe Tizzard:"He's in lovely form and has come out of his Haydock run really well. We've had this in mind for his early season target and the tempo of the race should suit him really well."

3 Fortescue

Star rating: ***

Has some solid form in the top staying handicap chases, including when finishing well in fourth in the Becher Chase last time. This serious stamina test should suit and he is fitted with first-time cheekpieces.

Trainer Henry Daly:"He ran very well last time when he stayed on after missing the break. I ran him in the Grand National so I think he'll get the trip, and I'm putting on the cheekpieces to help the jockey a bit."

4 Quick Wave

Quick Wave: strongly fancied to follow up his London National victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Star rating: ****

Has improved massively since returning this season and looked a type to be reckoned with in staying handicaps when winning the London National this month. Could continue to improve and trainer excels with these types.

Trainer Venetia Williams:"She's not been the easiest to train, which is why she hasn't run very much. The handicapper suggests she's got a great chance, but the Welsh National is never won and lost by just a few pounds."

5 Pats Fancy

Non-runner

6 Truckers Lodge

Star rating: **

Won Midlands National off this mark in 2020 but a bit hit and miss since and would probably prefer a more testing surface. This race is run in memory of Kim Gingell, mother to Truckers Lodge's conditional rider Freddie.

Trainer Paul Nicholls:"If it rains all day as it's forecast to, then that'll suit him well. He's come down the weights a bit and had a nice run around the other day when Freddie Gingell got the hang of him. He likes this race, goes well and if the rain comes, then he'll have an each-way chance."

7 Fantastikas

Star rating: **

Had some promising novice chase form last season but two runs this term have been quite underwhelming. An outsider for top connections.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies:"He's been a bit disappointing on his last two runs and we couldn't really discover why. He had really good form as a novice and there's quite a bit of rain about, and the softer it gets the better it will be for him."

8 The Galloping Bear

The Galloping Bear: beat Bristol De Mai at Haydock last year before being disqualified when a banned substance was found in his systemCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Star rating: ***

Leading hope for small yard and has experience in this type of race from finishing first, before being disqualified, in Haydock's Grand National Trial. Made a decent comeback but needs all of the forecast rain to arrive.

Trainer Ben Clarke:"He's on a handicap mark we know that he can be very competitive off and there are no stamina doubts. The track will suit him and his preparation has been absolutely perfect. We've declared but are reliant on the forecast rain arriving and as long as it does arrive we do intend to run."

9 Time To Get Up

Star rating: **

Respected on form of first and third in last two runnings of the Midlands National, but was pulled up in this race's trial, so hard to fancy on that evidence.

Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr:"He was a little bit disappointing on his comeback run, but he's a thorough stayer and it's a race we've had in mind for him. He probably would have wanted the ground a bit softer but everyone is in the same boat."

10 Ask Me Early

Star rating: ***

Missed the race through injury when favourite last season but still has age on his side. Third to Le Milos on comeback at Bangor and that form has worked out well now. Would thrive in testing conditions.

Trainer Harry Fry:"I was pleased to see that they are due rain. We were delighted with his reappearance run at Bangor, the form has worked out well and he's come forward for that race. We're very happy with him."

11 Musical Slave

Star rating: **

Enjoyed a productive campaign last season, winning big pots at Sandown and Haydock before finishing second in the bet365 Gold Cup. Comeback was encouraging but fear the handicapper may have caught up with him.

Trainer Philip Hobbs:"There are one or two who look well handicapped. Nevertheless, it looks like he's probably got the right conditions with softish ground and the trip. He ran well on his first run back and hopefully he'll improve from that."

12 Wouldubewell

Star rating: **

Not ruled out on form of small-field Bangor victory in March but needs a major improvement from Haydock reappearance. Stamina a concern too.

Assistant trainer Barry Fenton:"We're excited about her. We think she's well in and she loves soft ground. Fingers crossed she can get into a good rhythm with her jumping and her prep has been good. The main thing is Tom Bellamy is excited about her and hopefully she's a live contender."

13 Cyclop

Star rating: *

Veteran who has plenty of experience in these sort of races and is continuing to run well. This requires a career best and he is not getting any younger.

Trainer David Dennis:"He's been in very good form since he missed last season due to a leg injury and I've been pleased with all three of his runs this season. He's off a light weight and Lilly Pinchin has won on him before, and if he was to put in one of his best performances he would have an each-way chance."

14 Wayfinder

Star rating: **

Pulled up last time but had won three races here on the trot beforehand, so certainly a contender.

Trainer Rebecca Curtis said:"He goes there in better form than he did for his last race when he never got into a rhythm. We've put a line through it and he's schooled brilliantly since. His main assets are his travelling and jumping and he's got a nice weight."

15 Regina Dracones

Star rating: **

Caught the eye when fifth at Fairyhouse last time and could be dangerous from towards the bottom of the weights.

Trainer Tom Gibney:"We're delighted that she managed to get in. She's been in good form at home, should stay well and we're hopeful of a big run from her."

16 Movethechains

Star rating: **

Chasing a fifth consecutive victory and has been kept off the track since February. This is much more difficult but he has been winning easily, so certainly could figure off a low weight.

Trainer Gary Moore:"He's really interesting. I would have liked to have had a run before as that would've helped his chances, but we've done as much as we can with him at home."

17 The Two Amigos

Star rating: **

Second in this race two seasons ago and well suited to this extreme test of stamina. Recent form only moderate but is dangerously handicapped.

Trainer Nicky Martin:"He's got the best weight he's ever had, which is great, and is in seriously good order. It possibly won't be soft enough for him as he does like it heavy. He's in top form and I've always been convinced he goes better off a low weight in a higher grade as he's so tiny."

18 Gats And Co

Non-runner

19 D'Jango

Star rating: *

Heavy defeats on his last three runs and yet to win over 3m-plus, so hard to see his getting involved from well out of the handicap.

Trainer David Pipe:"He's got no weight but he would prefer the ground to be a lot softer."

Welsh National run in memory of Kim Gingell for second time as crowds return

Kim Gingell, the daughter of trainer Colin Tizzard, who died in 2020, will be remembered at the Welsh Grand National on Tuesday when the race is run in her memory.

Gingell was a hugely popular figure in the south-west and played a crucial role in the growth of the Tizzard stable. Her brother Joe will saddle The Big Breakaway in the race and her son Freddie will ride Truckers Lodge for Paul Nicholls.

The Chepstow race carried 'in memory of Kim Gingell' in its title two seasons ago, eight months on from her death from cancer aged 43, and will do so again with crowds permitted to watch the race for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Tizzards have won the Welsh National twice, with subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River in 2016 and Elegant Escape two seasons later, while their association with the race also comes from yard sponsors Coral, who will be supporting the race for a 50th year on Tuesday.

Joe Tizzard said: "It's really good of Coral and Chepstow to have the race run in memory of Kim. There hasn't been any public there for the last two years, so this will be really nice.

"This is a race we've had a lot of fun in through the years and it's great to go there with a nice chance this season."

Chepstow expects around 10,000 racegoers for the eight-race card.

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Read the rest of 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

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

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