Coral Welsh Grand National 2019

Good morning everyone from a foggy Chepstow Racecourse, for their feature of the season, the Coral Welsh Grand National. As mentioned above; it's foggy. A contrast to their forecast a couple of days ago which promised a dry but cloudy day. There's even a hint of drizzle in the air, and with the going currently Heavy, Soft in places, it will be some test for all runners today, not just those in the feature race. In the main event, local interest will be confirmed by trainer Christian Williams's runner Potter's Corner, owned by a syndicate including Jonathan Davies, the number 13 for the Wales national rugby team. Last year's winner Elegant Escape returns, however this time it is the mercurial talent of Robbie Power, and not the victor from last year Tom O'Brien, who rides for Colin Tizzard. Yala Enki, a recent new arrival to Paul Nicholls's stable, is tasked with potentially providing history, whilst West Approach, Tizzard's other runner in the race, is looking to back up his 3 very good Cheltenham runs so far this year. His only real disappointment of the season has been his unseat in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, and the stamina test may well suit him.

Evan Williams will also provide local racegoers with a South Walian trio from his Llancarfan stable, Grace Harris sends Field Exhibition, who was incredibly unlucky to unseat at Newbury behind 2019 Grand National runner-up Magic of Light, and Debra Hamer sends Looks Like Power, who will need everything to go his way and more to win, especially from 7lb out of the handicap.

The 6 other races are headed by surely one of the clashes of the season, in Allmankind vs Cerberus vs Tavus. The former is a Grade 2 winner at Cheltenham, the middle a Grade 3 scorer at Fairyhouse latest, and the latter beat a subsequent Grade 2 scorer in Navajo Pass at Newcastle on Fighting Fifth Hurdle Day this year. The fact Cerberus runs here for Joseph O'Brien, and not at either Limerick or Leopardstown this week, shows just how well this race has done to attract the top quality juveniles, and with a roll of honour that includes Bristol De Mai, We Have A Dream and Defi du Seuil, it is sure to be another cracker.

The press room has never been so busy before at Chepstow, so that surely alludes to an exciting day of racing ahead of us. If that fog stays away, we shall be in for a treat!