Welsh Grand National 2024 - Favourites and Outsider Picks
Top Picks for the 2024 Welsh Grand National
5 MONBEG GENIUS - Nick Scholfield
The pre-race favourite for this year’s Welsh Grand National is Monbeg Genius, currently installed at 5.00 with Bet365. The eight-year-old bay gelding has won five and placed in three of his 14 runs (chase and hurdle) and has earned £37,409 in prize money with a 35.71% strike rate. However, the concern for the bookies' favourite is that he has not won since February 2023 at Chepstow and there are a few question marks regarding his stamina. Indeed, Monbeg Genius has the tools and talent to win this race as we saw in last season’s Ultima, but we have a feeling that a place chance is his best shot in this one.
6 GALIA DES LITEAUX - Harry Skelton
Harry Skelton jumps on board Galia Des Liteaux for the Welsh Grand National and this eight-year-old bay mare has already notched up £78,392 in prize money with four wins and four places in 15 starts (26.67% S/R). Her two marathon attempts could be considered her finest performances: finishing second in the Classic Chase (off the same mark she holds now) and placing eighth in the Grand National, where she was still well in contention approaching the final stages. Arguably a tad too short at 5.50 for what she’s actually achieved but could be a solid place chance.
8 IRON BRIDGE - TBC
Number eight on the card is another Jonjo O'Neill runner, Iron Bridge, who finished as the runner-up in this race last year and is expected to be far better suited to the current underfoot conditions. With Nassalam running 34 lengths clear last year, it’s more telling to focus of the 17 runners Iron Bridge beat rather than the one he couldn’t. Now 6lb lower in handicap due to the tough races he’s featured in, the eight-year-old bay gelding appears well-placed for a strong performance. With conditions aligning perfectly and some attention diverted to his tablemate Monbeg Genius, Iron Bridge is primed for a big run, and at 12.00, we make him our best place pick in this field.
2 FONTAINE COLLONGES - TBC
One of the biggest earners in the field with £124,080 bagged in prize money with seven wins and a place in 16 starts is Venetia Williams’ runner Fontaine Collonges. This nine-year-old bay mare has a better strike rate than the favourite Monbeg Genius and beat him at Haydock less than a month ago. An 8lb rise to 148 for that win seems reasonable on the surface, but she has had her fair share of struggles in big fields. Given that we feel this race doesn't have a true (or worthy) out-and-out favourite, we make Fontaine Collonges our top outsider pick for the Welsh Grand National at 12.00.
18 EVIES VLADIMIR - TBC
G P Cromwell’s seven-year-old chestnut gelding Evies Vladimir is an intriguing contender from an Irish stable renowned for its success with British riders. After a lengthy 18-month break following some groundwork, he soared last season, hinting at even greater potential. While there is still much to uncover about him, one thing is certain - he thrives in muddy conditions. Call this a long shot at 20.00 but Cromwell does have form in this event and if Evies Vladimir can keep up with the pace, he could just spring a surprise on the fancied runners this year.
Bet on the 2024 Welsh Grand NationalWelsh Grand National 2024 Odds
All odds taken from Bet365
| Draw | Runner | Trainer | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Monbeg Genius | Jonjo O’Neill | 5.00 |
| 6 | Galia de Liteaux | Dan Skelton | 5.50 |
| 11 | Jubilee Express | Sam Thomas | 9.00 |
| 2 | Fontaine Collonges | Venetia Williams | 12.00 |
| 3 | Iwilldoit | Sam Thomas | 12.00 |
| 8 | Iron Bridge | Jonjo O’Neil | 12.00 |
| 7 | Stuzzkini | Gordon Elliott | 12.00 |
| 9 | Where It All Began | Gordon Elliott | 15.00 |
| 11 | The Newest One | Nigel Twiston-Davies | 20.00 |
| 10 | Your Own Story | Lucinda Russell | 20.00 |
| 17 | Evies Vladimir | Gavin Cromwell | 20.00 |
| 15 | No Hubs No Hoobs | Joe Tizzard | 20.00 |
| 16 | Atlanta Brave | Kerry Lee | 25.00 |
| 4 | Chambard | Venetia Williams | 33.00 |
| 1 | Paint the Dream | David Brace | 33.00 |
| 12 | Val Dancer | Mel Rowley | 33.00 |
| 14 | The Two Amigos | Nicky Martin | 40.00 |
| 13 | Amateur | J & R Flint | 66.00 |
| 18 | Imperial Alex | Tom Lacey | 100.00 |
| 19 | Classic Concorde | David Brace | 100.00 |
| Not Sure | Reserve | 66.00 | |
| Gold Clermont | Reserve | 150.00 |
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