Second-season chasers Complete Unknown and Monbeg Genius were among 59 entries received for the £150,000 Coral Welsh Grand National run over 3m6f at Chepstow Racecourse on Wednesday 27th December.
The total number of entries has surpassed the number received in 2022, when 58 horses were entered.
Course specialist Monbeg Genius was ante-post favourite for several of the top staying handicap chases in the UK this season prior to being pulled-up on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot recently. He is one of three entries for Jonjo O’Neill who has won this famous race twice before.
As well as Complete Unknown, Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls has also entered course winners Threeunderthrufive, Broken Halo and Truckers Lodge. The latter has contested the last four renewals of this event, finishing placed on two occasions.
Badger Beer Chase winner Blackjack Magic is chasing a third consecutive victory and could still be open to improvement if he were to go beyond 3m1f for the first time in his career.
The in-form Venetia Williams has trained the winner of this race twice in 2000 (Jocks Cross) and 2014 (Emperor’s Choice). She is evidently targeting a third win in this marathon contest after entering Chambard, Cloudy Glen, Didero Vallis, Farinet and Fontaine Collonges.
Not since 2017 has there been an Irish-trained winner of the Coral Welsh Grand National, but that could change in 2023 with a total of seven entries received from yards across the Irish sea. Despite their domination of the jumping game in recent years, neither Willie Mullins or Gordon Elliott have ever won the Welsh National.
Mountainous is the only horse to have regained his Coral Welsh Grand National crown this century, but the 10-year-old Iwilldoit could attempt to join that exclusive club this year for trainer Sam Thomas.
Nicky Henderson has famously never won any kind of Grand National, but it could be notable that he has just two entrants in the shape of the Joe Donnelly-owned City Chief and maiden chaser Mister Coffey. The latter named 8yo travelled well for a long way in the Randox Grand National before fading but looks made to win a race of this nature soon.
About Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow Racecourse opened its gates in the early 1920's and has since blossomed into a bustling track that is home to the Welsh Grand National. From just a pretty park, this venue is now home to racing fixtures and music events throughout the year, as well as being available to hire for weddings, conferences and events.
For further information please contact: Sam Cone, Arena Racing Company on 07920 404296 or SCone@arenaracingcompany.co.uk
Hugo Barran, JSC Communications on 07786 913215 or hugo@jsccomms.co.uk
