'He looked impressive and he's one to watch for Cheltenham' - Nick Scholfield joins the panel for Welsh Grand National day

It's Welsh Grand National (2.50) day at Chepstow. Who wins the big one?

Adrian Galvin, Betfair Uncle Bert won nicely at Aintree and remains unexposed over fences and over these extended trips. The ground is much better than in previous years, which might just inconvenience a few of the mudlarks more than Uncle Bert.

Jonny Pearson, Racing Post handicapper The horse I'm most interested in is Dom Of Mary, who has switched yards and is now trained by James Owen. On his second start for the trainer at Newcastle last time he put in an improved performance to run out a good winner and he stays very well. I can see him improving furtherr and he looks a very good each-way bet. 

Maddy Playle, reporter My Weekender column this week was about how Dan Skelton continues to get big-priced handicap winners and it could be the case again here, with his Deafening Silence emerging from his reappearance at Newcastle with plenty of credit after staying on strongly. The yard's horses have come on for their first runs this season and he remains on a really competitive mark. Konfusion, his conqueror last time, also boosted the Newcastle form when bolting up in the Rowland Meyrick. 

O'Connell: winner of the London National last time outCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Matt Rennie, reporter I'm with O'Connell. He's been a revelation since Joel Parkinson joined Sue Smith on the training licence last year. Already a winner of the Lincolnshire and London Nationals, he's shown he thrives on these extreme tests of stamina and the yard has a terrific strike-rate with chasers this season. He's 1lb well-in too, so his progression may not have stopped yet.

Nick Scholfield, trainer My old friend Monbeg Genius. I finished fourth on him off the same mark last year. An early mistake pushed us back but if he can cut out mistakes he has a big chance off 11st 3lb and Jonjo and AJ O'Neill's horses are in good form.

Who else takes your eye on ITV at Chepstow?

Galvin The Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1.40) is an interesting race as Manlaga comes from France with a big reputation, but it might be Sonic Pioneer who gives the favourite Macktoad the most to think about. He was seriously impressive when winning at Kempton and, while he might not have beaten much, the third came out and won after to give the form some substance. 

Pearson The 2m7½f handicap hurdle (2.10) looks a good contest and for my sins I will once again be backing Crebilly. He's proven difficult to win with but there's no doubt he has a large degree of ability. He ran well over hurdles on his reappearance and can be expected to strip fitter for this. Provided he's on a going day, he should go very close. 

Playle Ben Solo (3.25) hasn't done a lot wrong in his short but promising chasing career. He has looked particularly good over this course and distance on his last two runs, winning and then coming up short against a very progressive horse to whom he gave stacks of weight. Jamie Brace's 5lb claim will help again. 

Rennie Given it's Wales's biggest raceday, you'd hope Rebecca Curtis's horses are ripe for this and I'll side with Ben Solo in the 2m3½f handicap chase (3.25). He's been generally progressive over the track and trip this season and fared with great credit when beaten half a length here this month. A 4lb rise shouldn't be enough to stop him getting back to winning ways. 

Macktoad: Nick Scholfield's pick of the runners at ChepstowCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Scholfield The Gary and Josh Moore-trained Macktoad looks the standout pick in the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle (1.40). He was very impressive at Sandown last time. Ex-French runner Manlaga looks the only danger.

And what about on ITV at Kempton?

Galvin The 3m½f mares' handicap hurdle (1.20) sees the first and second from last year's contest reoppose. Della Casa Lunga returned to form over an inadequate 2m5f last month and after getting dropped another pound she's back down to last year's winning mark. Holly Hartingo got 3lb for her second over course and distance last month, which should just swing it in Della Casa Lunga's favour once more. 

Pearson The Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (1.55) looks a competitive affair and I’d be keen to take on the short-priced favourite with Mambonumberfive, who looks a more attractive prospect at a bigger price. I've been taken with both his wins over fences and he shapes as if there's more to come. I can see him going on to be a Grade 1 horse over fences.

Mambonumberfive: could give Ben Jones and Ben Pauling another big Kempton winnerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Playle Harry Fry hasn't had a very impactful season so far but his good horses have run well and Trustintimes (3.37) completed a four-timer at Ascot last time when beating the subsequent Cheltenham winner Fortune De Mer. He held him quite comfortably in the end and is a huge model for a four-year-old, so more improvement should be forthcoming off a 6lb higher mark. 

Rennie The highly progressive Thistle Ask could be tough to beat in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (2.30) but I'm prepared to take a final chance on Boothill. He's fallen in this for the last two years and must bounce back after two no-shows this year, but he's just 1lb higher than when winning the Wayward Lad here three years ago. When completing his course form is 113, and this isn't the greatest running of the race either. 

Scholfield ⁠Sam Thomas's Lump Sum looks well placed to win a Grade 2 prize in the Wayward Lad Novices' Chase (1.55). He was very impressive on his chasing debut at Uttoxeter and then acquitted himself well behind Lulamba in the Henry VIII.

Who should we look out for at Leopardstown?

Galvin The Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.47) looks to be one of the races of the week and whoever comes out on top is likely to threaten favouritism for the Supreme. Skylight Hustle created a lasting impression when winning at Fairyhouse by 21 lengths. The winners have been flowing for Gordon Elliott and he might be another to add to the list. 

Pearson The Future Champions Novice Hurdle (1.47) could have quite the impact on the market for the Supreme. Both Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott have highly regarded horses in the race, chiefly Le Divin Enfant and Skylight Hustle, and it's very much a race to pay close attention to. 

Playle He's clearly a tremendously talented horse but I can't sympathise with anyone wanting to back Majborough for a race over fences as his chasing technique just isn't up to scratch when he comes under pressure. There would be far worse bets than Found A Fifty in the Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (1.12) as he's fit, a strong stayer and a regular winner. I can’t see much wrong with the 11-2 on offer. 

Found A Fifty: Maddy Playle's pick in the Paddy’s Rewards Club ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Rennie If there's a day to take on both Majborough and Marine Nationale, this is it. The former I cannot have given how poor his jumping was at Cork, while we know Marine Nationale is a different prospect in the spring, so I'm happy to take a chance in the Paddy's Rewards Club Chase (1.12) with Only By Night. She was ahead of Majborough when pipped in the Arkle by Jango Baie, who's boosted the form since. She made a winning comeback too and gets a 7lb mares' allowance.

Scholfield Sa Majeste looks a good each-way bet in the €200,000 Paddy Power Chase (3.00). He is stepping back up in trip after a good comeback run over shorter at Punchestown and was third in the Kim Muir last year.

And away from the ITV action?

Galvin The 2m handicap hurdle (2.22) at Leopardstown might see the Dempsey stable get off the mark with Matt Connor. While he won by only a neck at Limerick in October I'd be very surprised if there wasn't a lot more to come from the five-year-old. The third has since won easily and the fast tempo of a big-field handicap should play to his strengths. 

Pearson Galileo Dame was my fancy for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, and while it didn't all go to plan in March, I expect her to win the 2m4f maiden hurdle (12.17) at Limerick on her return to obstacles and go on to have a good season.  

Playle He's a monkey but you're getting a big enough price at 5-1 to tempt you in with Harper's Brook (2.45), who returns to the scene of his last win at Wetherby. He's 3lb lower than when successful last year and also receives the 7lb claim of Harry Atkins, so has to be in with a good shout if on his best behaviour. The Skelton stable's other runner Madara could need the run after a 378-day absence, so don't be surprised if last year's winner can take advantage of a juicy mark. 

Rennie Ballybreeze in the 2m handicap chase (1.05). He disappointed at Cheltenham last time but two winners have emerged from it since, and Glengouly certainly did the form no harm when winning the December Gold Cup. This is a drop in grade compared to last time and his course form reads 211. He's just 2lb higher than when successful at the track in April, too. 

Scholfield All eyes will be on Le Divin Enfant (1.47) at Leopardstown. He looked impressive on his first run for Willie Mullins at Thurles and has form behind Lulamba in France last year. He's one to watch for Cheltenham.

Give us your pick for the Savills Chase (2.30) at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Galvin It's a race I'm happy to sit out come Sunday, but the one who might tempt me to have a bet is Inothewayurthinkin. I imagine we'll see a different horse to the one we saw in the John Durkan, and even if he's beaten on Sunday, I still think he looks like the most likely Gold Cup winner. 

Pearson Whilst Galopin Des Champs is for me the most likely winner, I'd expect a number of those down the field in the John Durkan, including Inothewayurthinkin, to improve for the run and the step up in trip. However, it's Lecky Watson I can see running a huge race. If he gets into a good rhythm he can certainly finish in the places at a price. 

Playle It's an absolutely stacked field but most of the runners have question marks. Galopin Des Champs will surely come on for the run and his Gold Cup conqueror Inothewayurthinkin could be more of a spring horse. Fastorslow finished ahead of him in third on his reappearance in the John Durkan last time and is preferred over Gerri Colombe, who would be interesting if fit off the back of a long absence. 

Galopin Des Champs: vying for a third win in Leopardstown's Savills ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Rennie I cannot believe the price of Galopin Des Champs. Some bookmakers are still offering 2-1 about the best staying chaser this decade? I'll have a bit of that. It may be his comeback but this is his playground. He's never been troubled in any runs over fences here and he was at his dominant best in this a year ago. He'll be fine making his return over his favourite trip and track. Enjoy a true great winning once again.

Scholfield ⁠I hope to see Galopin Des Champs put his best foot forward and win it for a remarkable third time on the spin. Looking at the entries, it seems like a classic running and I'm looking forward to watching the race.

More Raceday Intel:

Rebecca Curtis and Sam Thomas flying the flag for home team as they bid to continue fine recent run in Welsh Grand National

Welsh Grand National 2025 pinstickers' guide: runners, ratings and key quotes for one of the year's biggest betting races  

'The romantics could come out on top' - Keith Melrose on a red-hot Welsh Grand National 

'He's not a hard horse to get fit and we haven't missed a beat with him' - Majborough v Marine Nationale in a stunning showdown at Leopardstown 

'He’s in cracking form' - can King George-winning trainer Ben Pauling land another big prize at Kempton? 

Five questions we hope to see answered on a blockbuster Saturday 

Differing opinions among Irish panel on who represents the value in a fiercely competitive Paddy Power Chase 

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