TEMPLEGATE tackles the Welsh Grand National – one of the big betting races of the year – confident of finding the winner.
He also names his epic 1-2-3-4-5 finishing order.
Scroll down for his big pick at the bottom.
He rates every horse out of one (worst) to five (best).
Templegate’s Welsh Grand National runner-by-runner guide
INTENSE RAFFLES 2
RAFFLES not the ticket. Irish National winner who is best on heavy. Stayed on in the Coral at Newbury on comeback. This marathon distance suits far better but he needs more off a big weight.
HAITI COULEURS 3
COUL dude. Brilliant last season, winning at the Festival and Irish National. Poor in the G1 Lancs Chase at Haydock latest but can bounce back over an ideal trip. Likes any ground, in the hunt.
MR VANGO 4
Most read in Horse Racing
VAN motors. Outstanding marathon chaser who dominated staying handicaps last season. Excellent second in the Becher off this mark on comeback last time when the came a yard too soon. Softer ground would be ideal but will be thereabouts again.
NASSALAM 2
SALAM dunked. Won this brilliantly two years ago but badly out of form since and pulled up repeatedly. Needs bottomless ground to shine off a big weight.
MONBEG GENIUS 2
NO Genius. Useful stayer at best and on fair mark but jumping let him down badly when pulled up in the Becher. Goes on any ground and likely to stay but needs a big turnaround in form.
ROCK MY WAY 4
ROCK solid. Improving stayer who powered clear in Berkshire National last time. Looked very comfortable at that level and stays strongly. Faces deeper opposition here but arrives in form and decent ground suits.
TANGANYIKA 2
TAN faded. Chased home Mr Vango in Midlands National last spring. Pulled up in London National on return and still 15lb above last win. Needs very best.
UNCLE BERT 3
UNCLE bucked up. Won over 2m4f easily back over fences last time when front-running. Stays 3m well and goes on any ground. This is tougher but could run into the first six.
O’CONNELL 4
CON is on. Progressive stayer who produced a career best to win London National last time. Strong traveller who stays well and handles any ground. Step up in trip looks positive and improvement is likely. Major player.
COLLECTORS ITEM 3
UP and Item. Chased home Jubilee Express here last time and stays well. Needs a career best to win but should give another honest account.
GIT MAKER 5
CLEVER Git. Strong stayer who shaped encouragingly over hurdles at Lingfield on comback. Proven over extreme trips and likes decent ground. Likely to come on for that run and looks well treated for a big effort.
DEAFENING SILENCE 2
SILENCE quiet. Solid comeback second at Newcastle and wants a real stamina test. Best form on soft and has only won in a small field. Early days but needs more in this company.
JUBILEE EXPRESS 4
EXPRESS delivers. Second in this off similar mark last year and impressive win here 21 days ago. Trip suits on decent ground and been well backed. Major player for Welsh trainer Sam Thomas.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN 1
ALL out. Pulled up in this last year and been out of sorts for a while. Trainer Gordon Elliott respected but this is a tall order.
LIVIN ON LUCO 2
LIVIN on a prayer. Won Southern National at Fontwell when jumping well and likes a marathon. This is much tougher but he’ll keep going.
DOM OF MARY 3
MARY has a prayer. Stayed on strongly to win at Newcastle last time over 3m5f and goes on any ground. Faces a much deeper contest now but arrives in form and can outrun odds.
HUNG JURY 2
JURY’S out. Consistent stayer who ran well when second to O’Connell in London National and loves a marathon. Would like it softer.
BEAUFORT SCALE 1
BEAU can go. Maiden chaser for Gordon Elliott who has been out of sorts this season. Stays well and likes it good but must raise game.
PATS FANCY 1
NOT fancied. Veteran whose best days appear behind him. Briefly hinted at revival earlier in the season but was well held here last time and should struggle.
Templegate’s Welsh Grand National tip and 1-2-3-4-5 prediction
GIT won’t miss in the £170,000 Coral Welsh Grand National.
GIT MAKER (2.50 Chepstow, nap) is fit from a spin over hurdles and showed his staying power when third in last year’s Scottish National off this mark.
He can strike on his favourite decent ground ahead of the tough Mr Vango and strong stayers Jubilee Express and O’Connell.
1st Git Maker
2nd Jubilee Express
3rd O’Connell
4th Mr Vango
5th Rock My Way
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chases their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
