Punting pointers and trainer views for the Coral Welsh Grand National

2.50 Chepstow
Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase | 3m5½f, 4yo+ | ITV4/ATR

KEY HORSES & QUESTIONS

Tizzard time again?

Colin Tizzard bids to land this prestigious marathon chase for the second time in the last three runnings as Ladbrokes Trophy runner-up Elegant Escape attempts to repeat the feat of 2016 winner Native River.

Elegant Escape finished a ten-length second to stablemate Sizing Tennessee at Newbury at the start of the month and steps up more than three furlongs in distance for this stamina test.

The classy son of Dubai Destination placed in top-level company three times last season, including when third in the RSA, and won a Listed event at Sandown before the Ladbrokes Trophy.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer to father Colin, said: "He’s come out of Newbury well and conditions at Chepstow will suit him – the slightly softer ground and further distance are in his favour.

"All he does is keep galloping and we’re excited about running him."

Can son emulate father?

Martin Pipe dominated this race in the late 1980s and early 1990s and his son David runs two strong contenders in Ramses De Teillee and Vieux Lion Rouge in a bid to scoop the £150,000 pot for the first time.

The progressive Ramses De Teillee, the mount of David Noonan, won the 2m7½f Welsh National trial at Chepstow earlier this month and tries this extreme distance for the first time.

Pipe said: "His course form is very good and the soft ground will be fine for him. The one question mark would be the step up in trip as he has to prove he stays this far."

Ramses De Teillee: one of two runners for David PipeCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Vieux Lion Rouge bounced back to form when second in the Becher Chase on the back of a wind operation in the summer and will be ridden by Tom Scudamore.

Pipe said: "The trip is no concern for Vieux Lion Rouge, who'll stay it well, but he needs to keep up a bit better than he did in the Becher."

Can Ireland win it again?

Raz de Maree ended a nine-year wait for an Irish-trained winner of the race last season and is one of three runners from across the Irish Sea.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained veteran, runner-up behind Native River in 2016, bids to become the first horse since Bonanza Boy, successful in 1988 and 1989, to land back-to-back renewals and returns off a 2lb higher mark than last season.

Cromwell said: "He's rising 14 but is in great nick. He'd prefer the ground even softer than it is and we're just hoping he'll run a big race."

Gavin Cromwell: hoping history repeats itself as he runs last year's winner Raz De MareeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gordon Elliott hopes to strike for the first time with Folsom Blue, who finished fourth over hurdles at Haydock behind subsequent Long Walk Hurdle scorer Paisley Park on his return last month.

Elliott said of Jamie Codd's mount: "He'll love the soft ground and trip. He's in good order and with luck in running should run very well."

Talented seven-year-old Baie Des Iles is also set to take her chance and finished fifth in this race two years ago before landing a Grade 2 chase at Auteuil in June.

Trainer Ross O’Sullivan said: "The soft ground will be ideal and she seems in great form. We're looking forward to it and hopefully she'll produce a big run."

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Ballyoptic
He was second in the Scottish National which gives him a good shout. He fell in the Becher but he’s schooled well since and I think he’ll enjoy it.

Venetia Williams, trainer of Yala Enki
He’s in good order and has earned his place in the race. I’m hoping for a good run but he might be vulnerable giving away that amount of weight in a fiercely competitive renewal.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Vyta Du Roc
I don't win Grand Nationals but we're rather happy with him and on his best form he'd have a chance. He's run some good races and seems in very good form.

Sue Smith, trainer of Vintage Clouds
He got hampered last year before staying on well to be fourth and the ground doesn't look like being so testing this year. He's maybe a bit stronger this year, is going well at home and his run at Haydock last time might have been a career-best performance.

Peter Bowen, trainer of Rons Dream
Everything is right for her. The trip, soft ground and track are in her favour and this has been a target since last year, so we’ll see if she’s good enough.

Tim Vaughan, trainer of Looksnowtlikebrian
He’s done everything right so far and we’ve had this race in mind for a long time. He’s bred to stay and has run well at the track so we’re looking forward to it.

David Dennis, trainer of Final Nudge
He’s in good form, always goes well fresh and this has been the target since the summer. He ran very well in this race last year and if back to the level of that form ought to be competitive off a 7lb lower mark.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Kansas City Chief
He’s been fine since Bangor and hopefully fences will bring about improvement on his second run. These are the type of races for him and hopefully he can be competitive.

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Jenny’s Surprise
It would have been ideal if the ground was bottomless like in recent years, but she’s the right each-way price and hopefully goes there with a decent shout. She won well over two and a half miles on her return at Lingfield and that was a good prep for this.

Michael Scudamore, trainer of Mysteree
I was much happier with him at Kelso last time, where he jumped and travelled well before being brought to a standstill. He’s got to come back to his best form, but he wouldn’t be a million miles away if he does off this mark.

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