Horse Racing

2011 Coral Welsh National Preview

The 2011 Grade 3 Coral Welsh National will be held this Saturday 8 January, taking place at Chepstow. Read on for our tips based on the odds at Bet365.

Leading the odds at Bet365 is Synchronised at 5/1 to win. Having had little success in the hurdles this season, he now returns to chases in the Welsh National. His last chase was in March of last year, a narrow win in the Listed John Smith’s Midlands Grand National Chase Handicap. His last chase at Chepstow was also a win, but his last two races have been among his worst performances. Is stepping up to his first Grade level race really the best move for Synchronised?

Next in the odds is Maktu at 7/1 to win. Starting this season with a second place finish in the SNG Commercial Law Handicap Chase, Maktu ended his previous season with his first two chase wins after having warmed up with some place finishes earlier in the season. The Coral Welsh National is likely to be Maktu’s toughest chase so far, and a win will be not just a question of if he has returned to peak form yet – we also need to know if he has the heart to perform against Grade level competition.

There are three horses at 10/1 in the odds at Bet365: Dance Island, Summery Justice, and Watamu Bay. Dance Island is coming off a fairly unimpressive second place finish, Summery Justice is coming off a minor but somewhat impressive win in the Anne Duchess of Westminster Memorial Handicap Chase, and Watamu Bay has had a winning season in Class 3 chases.

We actually really like Watamu Bay’s chances in this race, but we wouldn’t go so far as to say he’ll win. Maktu looks the best bet to us, as Synchronised probably hasn’t hit his stride yet.

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