Welsh Grand National 2025 Runners: A guide to the 19 hopefuls

A field of 19 - just one short of the maximum - has been declared for the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Saturday afternoon (14:50).

Here's my guide to the Welsh Grand National 2025 Runners - including their odds at time of publication alongside a brief assessment of each one's chances.

Jubilee Express (Sam Thomas/Kielan Woods) @ 11/2

The leading fancy for a shrewd, local trainer. Runner-up in the race last year off just four pounds lower. Arrives this season off the back of a career-best victory in the the trial at Chepstow earlier this month. Solid.

Rock My Way (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) @ 11/2

Interesting runner for Joe Tizzard. Second to the reopposing Haiti Couleurs in the National Hunt Chase back in March reads well, as does his fifth in the Scottish National the following month. Bolted up in the Berkshire National at Ascot last month and on that evidence a nine-pound rise might not be enough to stop him. Definite claims.

Haiti Couleurs (Rebecca Curtis/Sean Bowen) @ 6/1

Eleven pounds worse off with the aforementioned Rock My Way and he was pulled-up in the Betfair Chase last time out. That wasn't his true running, though, and the Irish Grand National hero will appreciate stepping back up to this trip. Loads of weight to carry, but he's the class act in the field. Couldn't put you off.

O'Connell (Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith/Danny McMenamin) @ 13/2

Five words - Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith. The training duo are dynamite at the minute, especially in these staying handicap chases, and their nine-year-old son of Westerner has already won one this term - the London National at Sandown on his most recent outing. Four-pound penalty looks manageable and he looks capable of troubling the judge.

Mr Vango (Sara Bradstock/Jack Tudor) @ 7/1

Lightly-raced nine-year-old who has won three of his last four starts. That defeat came last time out, in the Becher Chase at Aintree following a 266-day layoff, and he was only just denied on the line. Another with plenty of weight on his back, but there's otherwise no negatives about his chances.

Git Maker (Jamie Snowden/Gavin Sheehan) @ 7/1

Winless since January 2023 but this nine-year-old has always threatened to win a big one. Runner-up in the Kim Muir at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival and third in the Scottish National a month later. Unconvinced he's got loads in hand off his mark, but he'll be spot on for this after a spin over hurdles last month. Chance.

Collectors Item (Jonjo & A J O'Neill/Kevin Brogan) @ 17/2

The betting suggests he's the O'Neill's first string, but the absence of Betfred ambassador Jonjo Jr. suggests otherwise. That being said, the eight-year-old is in his prime and was only beaten two-and-a-half lengths by favourite Jubilee Express in the Welsh National trial. It's not unrealistic to think he could reverse that. Hard to overlook the jockey situation, though.

Dom Of Mary (James Owen/Richie McLernon) @ 14/1

Another veteran in these events, but too often he comes up short. Off a career-high mark of 128, too. Got a bit to find.

Intense Raffles (Thomas Gibney/Bryony Frost) @ 16/1

The seven-year-old, in the 'Double Green' of Simon Munir & Isaac Souede, has lost his way a bit after pulling up in this year's Grand National, but his narrow defeat to the winner Nick Rockett, giving three pounds, at Fairyhouse in the run-up to Aintree is form worthy of a favourite. If he can bounce back to that level, he's got an outstanding chance - and his eighth in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury was perhaps a hint to that happening. Interesting.

Deafening Silence (Dan Skelton/Tristan Durrell) @ 16/1

Anything the Skeltons run in these big races warrants respect and this progressive eight-year-old has a fair chance off a lowly mark of 132. His prep run in the Rehearsal at Newcastle last time out will have put him spot on for this. Will he stay? That's the big question he needs to answer. If he does, I could easily see him featuring when push comes to shove.

Uncle Bert (Nigel & Wily Twiston-Davies/Sam Twiston-Davies) @ 16/1

Bolted up on seasonal reappearance at Aintree earlier this month and the consequence is a four-pound penalty. Mark is set to rise a further four, though, so he's well-in here. Very unexposed over fences and these marathon trips, so he's very much of interest.

Hung Jury (Martin Keighley/Tom Bellamy) @ 22/1

One of two 10-year-olds in the field. Won a good race at the November Meeting at Cheltenham before giving the aforementioned O'Connell something to think about in the London National. Gusty type who I could see making the frame.

Nassalam (Gary & Josh Moore/Caoilin Quinn) @ 25/1

Emphatic winner of this race in 2023, but he's only completed one of six starts since - and that was a 54-length defeat in the 2024 Grand National. The eight-year-old had his wind done last month, so there's slight hope that he could bounce back to something like. Slight is all it is, though.

Livin On Luco (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White/Callum Pritchard) @ 25/1

Just a seven-year-old who's very unexposed over fences, but he's up seven pounds for winning at Fontwell last month and jockey Callum Pritchard claims two less - so essentially it's nine. Plenty on his plate.

Monbeg Genius (Jonjo & A J O'Neill/Jonjo O'Neill Jr) @ 25/1

The pick of Jonjo O'Neill Jr. That's interesting, because I can't find much to suggest his claims are stronger than stablemate Collectors Item's. On his day, a very good staying chaser, but he's rising 10 and has pulled-up on two of his last three starts. One to watch in the betting. Market support would be notable.

Tanganyika (Venetia Williams/Charlie Deutsch) @ 25/1

It was only nine months ago he finished runner-up to the reopposing Mr Vango in the Midlands Grand National. Not been in the same form this season, but the yard made a slow start and this seven-year-old has time on his side. Well overpriced to me.

Where It All Began (Gordon Elliott/Conor O'Farrell) @ 28/1

Hard to advise on current form.

Beaufort Scale (Gordon Elliott/Benjamin Macey) @ 66/1

The other runner for Gordon Elliott. Form leaves plenty to be desired.

Pats Fancy (Rebecca Curtis/Jamie Brace) @ 66/1

Once a fine staying chaser but this 10-year-old has barely had a sniff of victory since 2022. Couldn't advise.

Extra Place Races

Selected race(s). Applies to Each Way, Single & Multiple bets only. Antepost bets don’t apply. Min. runner rules apply. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Click the links for all the latest Horse Racing Odds and Fast Racing Results

Find more Horse Racing Tips here at Betfred Insights