Another of the big festive horse races is at Chepstow on Friday 27th December 2024, so we take a look at the Welsh Grand National runners – with trainer Jonjo O’Neill looking to land the race for a third time with the expected market leader Monbeg Genius.
At the final declaration stage – there will be 16 Coral Welsh Grand National runners for the 2024 race (see below).
Welsh Grand National Runners 2024: 16 Entries Will Head To Chepstow
- Fontaine Collonges
- Iwilldoit
- Monbeg Genius
- Galia Des Liteaux
- Stuzzikini
- Iron Bridge
- Where It All Began
- Your Own Story
- The Newest One
- Jubilee Express
- Val Dancer
- Amateur
- No Hubs No Hoobs
- Atlanta Brave
- Evies Vladimir
- Classic Concorde
Monbeg Genius Tops Welsh Grand National Runners 2024
The Jonjo O’Neill-trained Monbeg Genius hasn’t quite fulfilled the promise he showed when third to the Grand National winner Corach Rambler in the Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 (see below). He’s now six races without a win.
However, the best horse racing betting sites in the UK are suggesting this 8 year-old can make up for lost time in the 2024 Welsh Grand National over Christmas – making him the market leader. Five of the last 22 Welsh Grand National jollies have won.
A third in the Coral Gold Cup in 2023 was a step in the right direction again, but he was unable to back that up – with poor runs at Kelso and was pulled up in the Ultima Handicap Chase.
Monbeg Genius has since returned this season on a 3lb lower mark to run second at Haydock at the end of November and can be expected to have improved again for that first run since March 24.
Those siding with him will be pleased to know Chepstow is a track he loves – he’s 3-from-3 at the Welsh venue (1 hurdles, 2 fences), plus has handled the soft ground that he’s likely to get here, very well in the past.
Therefore, it’s easy to see why he’s favourite in the market, but those looking to take him on might look at his weight (11-8) as only two of the last 30 Welsh National winners have shouldered 11-8 or more.
These were Elegant Escape (2018) and Native River (2016).
While the two past winners of the race for trainer Jonjo O’Neill were Mini Sensation (2022) and Synchronised (2010)
WATCH: Monbeg Genius Running Third In The 2023 Ultima Chase at the Cheltenham Festival
Welsh Grand National 2024 Date and Race Info
📅Date: Friday 27th December 2024
⌚Time: 2:50pm
🏇Racecourse: Chepstow
🔄Trip: 3m 6 1/2f
💷Winning Purse: £85,425
📺 TV: ITV / Sky Sports Racing
See the full Welsh Grand National race details here – with the race being shown LIVE on ITV Racing.
Past Welsh Grand National Winners Iwilldoit and The Two Amigos Are Back For More
The Richard and Kerry Lee-trained Mountainous won the Welsh Grand National in 2013 and 2015 – he remains the last repeat winner of this horse racing contest.
Prior to that, it was Bonanza Boy – who won back-to-back Welsh Nationals in 1988 and 1989.
This could all change, however, in 2024 as the race is set to feature one past winners in Iwilldoit, who won the prize in 2021.
The Sam Thomas-trained 11 year-old is back from a 314-day break and was also third in the race 12 months ago. He’s rated 7lbs higher than when winning in 2021, but leading claimer Callum Pritchard has been booked to take off a handy 7lbs.
Last 10 Welsh Grand National Winners
- 2023 – NASSALAM (9/2 jfav)
- 2022 – THE TWO AMIGOS (16/1)
- 2021 – IWILLDOIT (13/2)
- 2020 – SECRET REPRIEVE (5/2 fav)
- 2019 – POTTERS CORNER (8/1)
- 2018 – ELEGANT ESCAPE (3/1 fav)
- 2017 – RAZ DE MAREE (16/1)
- 2016 – NATIVE RIVER (11/4 fav)
- 2015 – MOUNTAINOUS (9/1)
- 2014 – EMPEROR’S CHOICE (9/1)
