The 2020 Welsh Grand National pushed back in 2021 forms a revised programme of National Hunt horse races in the UK this Saturday. While Wincanton is set to host the Dipper Novices’ Chase, the Relkeel Hurdle has been added to the Kempton card. These are our experts’ Chepstow betting tips with a few punts from Kempton Park thrown in.
Chepstow betting tips – Lord Du Mesnil each-way value in Welsh Grand National
If in the feature Grade 3 Welsh Grand National over 3m 6f (15:10), Lord Du Mesnil has good each-way claims on the pick of his form. Trained by Richard Hobson, this eight-year-old relishes heavy going and the ground is certain to be just that in South Wales.
Lord Du Mesnil won three consecutive handicaps at Newcastle and Haydock just over 12 months ago, having started the last campaign rated 115. He was then a gallant runner-up in the Grand National Trial and filled the same spot behind Ravenhill in the Grade 2 National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
As Lord Du Mesnil ran off 153 that day and went down all guns blazing, and now gets in to the Welsh Grand National off 3lb lower, he must have a chance. Paul O’Brien again takes the ride and 3lb off his back. Lord Du Mesnil needed his first couple of runs to reach peak fitness last season and it could be a similar story here with BetVictor going 16/1 and paying five places.
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Elham Valley overpriced in Finale Juvenile Hurdle
Another each-way punt from our Chepstow betting tips for Welsh Grand National day is Elham Valley in the 2m Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle earlier on the card (13:25). Trained by Fergal O’Brien, this Flat recruit brings form to the table which has some substance to it.
It is hard for punters to know what hot favourite and Gary Moore inmate Nassalam has beaten in wide-margin wins. There is also plenty of confidence behind Paul Nicholls’ Houx Gris, who makes his UK debut here. Elham Valley clearly acted in heavy conditions at Sandown on his hurdles bow when making a winning start for his trainer.
The runner-up, Hudson De Grugy, has come out and won since. Depsite the presence of Cheltenham winner Adagio in this field, Elham Valley looks the value bet in the race. You can back him each-way at 8/1 with Unibet to follow-up on his Sandown exploits.
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Ask Me Early can score again at Chepstow
In the extended 2m 7f novices’ limited handicap chase (13:58), course and distance winner Ask Me Early appeals for in-form trainer Harry Fry. This seven-year-old grey is lightly-raced and from an Irish point background meaning fences are his bag.
Ask Me Early proved when making a winning steeplechase bow at Chepstow in early December. He beat some better horses than him over hurdles that day with a 5 1/2 lengths victory over Lord Napier. That makes a 6lb ratings rise from the handicapper more than fair.
As Ask Me Early also meets re-opposing rival Good And Hardy at the same weights here, he should confirm the form. He looks open to plenty of progress, and the third home behind last time out – Thomas Macdonagh – won his next start. That makes Ask me Early an appealing prospect at 11/4 with William Hill on the Welsh Grand National card.
Kempton betting tips – Misty Whisky look each-way value in Lanzarote Hurdle
In the Listed handicap over 2m 5f at Kempton, the Lanzarote Hurdle (15:30), bottom weight Misty Whisky is another from Fry’s in-form stable with claims of victory. This grey mare has won both of her starts this season, so looks well worth a crack in open company.
Misty Whisky won a Listed bumper at Sandown earlier in her career, so clearly has ability. She also beat previous winner Getaweapon off level weights in a novice hurdle at Ludlow last month, so has no problem mixing it with the geldings whatsoever.
After just five starts in this sphere, Misty Whisky has never been out of the first two. This demands more, but she has everything going for her getting weight all round. At 10/1 on the Betfair Sportsbook, Misty Whisky looks a solid each-way bet with bookmakers paying extra places on this race.
McFabulous can bounce back in Relkeel Hurdle
After failing to see a longer trip out, McFabulous looks a worthy favourite for the rearranged 2m 5 Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (14:40). Trained by Paul Nicholls, this seven-year-old cruised to victory at this level in the Persian War at Chepstow on his penultimate start when taking full advantage of the extended novice status.
McFabulous was then far from disgraced when third behind Thyme Hill and Paisley Park in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury. That pair met again and were the first two in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot just before Christmas, so you can see what he was up against in two top stayers.
Just because McFabulous didn’t see 3m out doesn’t mean there aren’t prizes to be won with him. The same applies to Kim Bailey runner Younevercall, but he is 10 and not open to as much progress. McFabulous therefore fits the bill at 13/8 with William Hill to resume winning ways.
Table Mountain a fascinating recruit for Symonds
In the 2m juvenile hurdle which kicks the Kempton card off (12:05), Table Mountain brings interesting Flat form into his debut for trainer Tom Symonds. An Ascot handicap winner off 82, he comfortably beat County Hurdle eleventh Scaramanga that day. Table Mountain struck into himself during a Group 3 contest at Goodwood, but was far from disgraced in his last outing start on the level for former handler Andre Balding.
That came back at Ascot in the Noel Murless Stakes where he was ten lengths behind gallant St Leger runner-up and erstwhile stable companion Berkshire Rocco. On that evidence, a Flat racing of 91 may underestimate Table Mountain.
Berkshire Rocco has a mark of 116 on the level. The distance Table Mountain was beaten that day suggests he may be better than the assessor’s opinion. If now translating his fair Flat form to hurdles, then his odds of 9/2 with Bet365 could be a bit of value.
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