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Looking for the Chepstow and the best horse racing betting tips for today’s racing? You have come to the right place. We are covering on this page every best race including the ones at Chepstow with our horse racing betting experts predictions and best odds. Simply scroll down to find all our predictions and enjoy the day at racing at Chepstow. We have also highlighted the best offers so you can get the maximum value for your betting.
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Makin’yourmindup to win the 13:36 Chepstow Welsh National Trial
Win Market
Best Bet Rationale
The Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow is always a searching stamina test, even over this slightly shorter distance than the main event. It is a race that rewards hardy staying chasers who can travel in a relentless rhythm, jump accurately under pressure and keep finding all the way up the long, rising straight. Looking at this year’s line-up, the market is naturally drawn to the progressive Aworkinprogress, but from a value and form-read perspective, Makin’yourmindup looks the shrewd play at more generous odds.
Makin’yourmindup is returning from a long absence – 615 days, according to the notes – but that should not be seen purely as a negative. When he was last seen in early 2024, his profile was very much that of an improving staying chaser at the right stage of his career. His sequence of performances over fences at that time showed a clear upward curve: he was learning his job, jumping with increasing confidence and finishing his races in a manner that suggested there was more to come from his mark. Connections have clearly been patient, and a big yard like Paul Nicholls’ does not bring one back for a deep Chepstow handicap unless the homework is encouraging.
Crucially, he already has winning form at Chepstow and over staying trips, as flagged by the C and D symbols on the racecard. Course-and-distance winners at this track are a serious asset, because Chepstow has its own personality: galloping, demanding and often attritional on winter ground. Some chasers who look straightforward elsewhere simply do not sustain their effort here, while others find a rhythm and never come off the bridle until late. Makin’yourmindup has already proved he can handle the layout and the grind, which removes a big unknown that several of his opponents still carry.
In contrast, the favourite Aworkinprogress is unbeaten over fences and arrives on the crest of a wave, but he is climbing in grade and now has to reproduce that form in a deeper, more competitive environment. Five from five in smaller or slightly weaker contests is undeniably impressive, yet this is a different sort of examination. He also has a more exposed recent profile, which means the handicapper may have a tighter grip on his ability. The market has reacted aggressively to the winning sequence, leaving very little margin for error in his price.
Jubilee Express has solid credentials too, with last season’s Welsh National second highlighting his stamina reserves. However, dropping back in trip to 2m7½f on ground that may not be as deep as in midwinter could prove sharper than ideal. He is the kind of horse who really excels when everything turns into a severe slog, whereas today’s test might be just short of his optimum conditions. Pats Fancy, another Chepstow specialist, has notable course figures but has been largely disappointing since his peak in 2021 and comes with clear reliability concerns.
Makin’yourmindup, on the other hand, runs from a mark that looks very workable if he returns anywhere close to his pre-break level. The handicap rating of 137 reflects his potential rather than fully-developed ability, and that can be a sweet spot in a race like this, especially for an eight-year-old with relatively few miles on the clock over fences. He receives weight from the top-rated Stay Away Fay, who has struggled badly on recent starts, and still has the physical scope to progress again if his trainer has him tuned.
Jay Tidball’s claim is another subtle plus. Taking weight off the horse’s back in a stamina-based handicap can make a practical difference, especially when the ground and trip combine to push horses to their limits late on. A well-judged, uncomplicated ride – keeping him in a handy position, jumping with daylight and asking him to stretch from the home turn – will give him every chance to exploit his mark. Chepstow often rewards those who are in the right place turning in rather than buried in traffic, and Makin’yourmindup has the tactical pace to hold a decent position.
Overall, when balancing current price, past course form, proven stamina, the promise shown in early 2024 and the training set-up behind him, Makin’yourmindup looks a very fair best bet in the 13:36 Chepstow Welsh Grand National Trial. He offers a blend of upside and solidity that the shorter-priced favourite cannot quite match at the odds, making him the more appealing selection for punters seeking both value and logic.
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Chepstow Racecourse: Home of the Welsh Grand National & More
Set amidst the rolling hills of Piercefield Park in Monmouthshire, Chepstow Racecourse is one of the most storied venues in the Welsh sporting landscape. Since hosting its inaugural fixture in 1926 before a crowd of 20,000, Chepstow has grown into a dual-purpose track of national significance, most famously known as the host of the Welsh Grand National — a gruelling mid-winter test of stamina and jumping ability.
Course Layout & Track Characteristics
Flat Racing
Direction: Left-handed
Circuit Length: Approximately 2 miles
Surface: Turf
Undulations: Pronounced; not a galloping track in the traditional sense
Run-in: 5 furlongs
Straight Course: Used for races up to 1 mile
Despite its generous straight and overall length, Chepstow’s undulations dominate proceedings, meaning stamina plays a significant role even on better ground. Horses who have proven ability over a trip or on similarly testing courses (like Epsom, Beverley, or Hamilton) tend to fare better.
The straight mile is a notable feature and can ride quite tough in strong headwinds or soft ground, especially when the field splits and pace collapses late. It tends to suit handy types or those with experience of rolling tracks.
National Hunt Racing
Direction: Left-handed
Circuit Length: Just under 2 miles
Undulating: Yes – significant rises and falls
Chase Fences per Circuit: 11
Home Straight: Around 5 furlongs with 5 fences
Run-in: 250 yards
Chepstow’s jumps track is as brutal as it is beautiful. The five-furlong home straight climbs steeply, features five fences, and begins with a slight downhill run into the obstacles — a layout that often catches out tired horses and fading leaders.
The Welsh Grand National, held around the turn of the year, is the signature contest, almost always run in deep winter ground that magnifies the test of stamina. The track favours:
Staying types with proven heavy ground form
Bold-jumping front runners, particularly those able to lead into the home bend
Horses with course form, as the track demands balance and experience
Those who turn for home in a good rhythm tend to finish strongest, though the final two fences often act as the race’s tipping point. The complexion of a race can change quickly here, especially in long-distance chases, and it’s common to see horses make up several lengths late if the leaders falter.
Key Races at Chepstow
Welsh Grand National (Grade 3 Handicap Chase) – December The standout contest of the year, it regularly attracts Cheltenham Festival hopefuls and Grand National trialists. Previous winners include Native River and Elegant Escape.
Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – October A key early-season pointer for top novices, often run on soft autumn ground.
Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle (Listed) – October Competitive staying handicap that serves as a stepping-stone to major winter hurdles.
Chepstow also plays host to season-opening jump fixtures in October, often marking the first serious test of the winter jumps campaign for top yards.
Tactical Betting Guide
Flat Racing Tips: Back horses with proven stamina even over middle distances. Agile, well-balanced runners are favoured due to the terrain. In races on the straight course, pace position is critical — look for those who can travel handily and quicken over a stiff final two furlongs.
National Hunt Tips: On soft or heavy ground, assume only thorough stayers will be in contention late. Front-runners or pace trackers are favoured in chases, but late closers can pounce if the pace collapses after the final bend. Watch out for previous course winners — Chepstow is a rhythm-based track that rewards familiarity.
Trainer Trends:
Welsh trainers often aim their better winter horses here.
Paul Nicholls frequently targets the Persian War and Welsh Grand National card.
Young horses having their first chase start here are worth noting — particularly if trained by powerful yards like Nicholls, Henderson, or Tizzard.
A Racecourse With Broad Appeal
Beyond its racing calendar, Chepstow has evolved into a modern venue for live music, conferences, and private events. Its location near the Severn Bridge ensures accessibility from both Wales and the West of England, while its scenic setting continues to charm punters and participants alike.
The racecourse has maintained the balance between historical legacy — pioneered by local aristocrats in the 1920s — and forward-looking operations. Its continual popularity is underpinned by its fair yet demanding layout, season-defining contests, and a loyal Welsh following that turns out in numbers for its premier fixtures.
