ITV Racing Tips: Secret Reprieve to win the Coral Welsh Grand National?
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The ITV Racing crew are in place for a massive Saturday afternoon, with no fewer than 10 thrilling contests on the way from Chepstow, Wincanton and Kempton.
Among them is the rescheduled Coral Welsh Grand National, plus the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle and a smattering of Grade 2s. Lovely stuff.
Ed Chamberlin and co. get the action underway at the slightly earlier time of 13:00 and we’ve previewed the three most significant races of the day in our ITV Racing Tips.
15:00 Chepstow – Coral Welsh Grand National
It may be a fortnight later than originally scheduled, but we’re still expecting a fascinating encounter for the Coral Welsh Grand National.
Secret Reprieve was the well-backed favourite two weeks ago, and Evan Williams’ charger is still very much the fancy of choice this time around too.
The seven-year-old hacked up at Chepstow last time out in fine style, although he’s never been tasked with anything beyond 3m 1f.
So it remains to be seen if Secret Reprieve has got the lungs for this 3m 6f challenge. If he hasn’t, that may open the door for the likes of Springfield Fox, Truckers Lodge and Christmas In April.
14:55 Kempton – Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase
Only four will run in this Grade 2 from South West London, but we don’t mind a bit of quality over quantity. After hustling home subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Simply The Betts at the Gloucestershire venue 12 months ago, Imperial Aura has looked a real force ever since.
After landing a Festival score of his own in the Listed Northern Trust Company Novices’ Handicap Chase, Kim Bailey’s runner has continued his fine form this season.
Winning on seasonal bow at Carlisle, the eight-year-old upped the ante with a quite superb victory at Ascot in mid-November. So much so that the jolly is now at the sharp end of the betting for this year’s Ryanair Chase.
But he isn’t without serious competition this weekend. Clandaw Castle is the outside hope of the foursome, but it’s Paul Nicholls who leads the charge with Master Tommytucker, a mightily fast racer who’s done the business over course and distance and will joined by Harry Cobden in the saddle.
Similarly, the impressive Riders Onthe Storm could well play a role too for Nigel Twiston-Davies, with Sam Twiston-Davies on board.
Both charges have shown huge speed and potential in the last 12 months, without quite yet stringing things together consistently, but there’s a good chance we might witness a fascinating and mighty scrap here, befitting of the great Silviniaco Conti himself.
13:25 Chepstow – Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle
Eight are set to go to post in this 2m Grade 1 showdown, with Gary Moore’s Nassalam looking like the one to beat.
The French four-year-old has impressed so far. Second on debut at Clairefontaine back in June, he’s wrapped up a pair of comfortable wins at Fontwell this season after moving to the Moore stables.
Paul Nicholls’ Houx Gris and David Pipe’s Adagio look best-placed to lead the challenge, with the latter knowing his way around having hacked up nicely at Cheltenham just last month when the odds-on favourite.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday 9th January
13:10 Kempton – Ladbrokes Where The Nation Plays Handicap Chase
13:25 Chepstow – Coral Finale Juvenile Handicap
13:45 Kempton – Ladbrokes Committed To Safer Gambling Handicap Chase
14:05 Wincanton – Paddy Power Dipper Novices’ Chase
14:20 Kempton – Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle
14:35 Wincanton – MansionBet’s Bet 10 Get 20 Handicap Chase
14:55 Kempton – Ladbrokes Silviniaco Conti Chase
15:10 Chepstow – Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase
15:30 Kempton – Ladbrokes Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle
15:45 Wincanton – MansionBet Faller Insurance Handicap Chase
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
