TEMPLEGATE takes on the Welsh Grand National confident of finding the winner.
Here he goes through every runner, rates them out of five and reveals his tip at the bottom.
Will The Big Dog be all bark and no bite in the Welsh Grand National?
The race takes place at 2.50 at Chepstow on Wednesday, December 27 and you can back a horse by clicking their odds.
Welsh Grand National runner-by-runner guide
THE BIG DOG 5
Jockey: Aidan Coleman
DOG barking. Looks a different horse to the one pulled up in this last year. Won Munster National before taking the red-hot Troytown at Navan. Major player.
THE BIG BREAKAWAY 4
Jockey: Brendan Powell
BIG chance. Has his own ideas but ran a cracker when second in good company at Haydock last time. Stays well and won’t be far away.
FORTESCUE 3
Jockey: Hugh Nugent
ON Cue. Regular winner at lower levels and solid fourth in Becher Chase. Should stay and first-time cheekpieces may help.
QUICK WAVE 4
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
SHE’S Quick. Impressive London National winner 24 days ago. Will stay and likes cut in the ground. Only 4lb higher so big chance.
PATS FANCY 4
Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
PATS magic. Has good record here and fit from spin over hurdles. Trip should suit and looks capable of better. Shortlist.
TRUCKERS LODGE 3
Jockey: Freddie Gingell
KEEP Trucking. Has finished second and third in this and is 9lb lower than last year even before his rider’s claim. Place shout if showing best.
FANTASTIKAS 2
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
NOT a Fan. Is 13lb higher than his last win and well held in the Becher. Has plenty to do here.
THE GALLOPING BEAR 4
Jockey: Ben Jones
BEAR with him. Improving stayer who likes it soft and won the Haydock National Trial before being disqualified for a banned substance. Been laid out for this and should run well.
TIME TO GET UP 1
Jockey: Jonjo O’Neill Jr
TIME up. Third in the Midlands National but has struggled twice since. Down weights but needs his best.
ASK ME EARLY 4
Jockey: Sean Bowen
EARLY riser. Back to form when third at Bangor and this longer trip should be ideal. Fair weight and can go close.
MUSICAL SLAVE 3
Jockey: Michael Nolan
MUSIC in tune. Solid stayer who was second in Bet365 Chase at Sandown. Will be fitter for his comeback and has solid place claims.
WOULDUBEWELL 1
Jockey: Tom Bellamy
WELL up. Decent form in small fields but well held at Haydock latest and needs more.
CYCLOP 1
Jockey: Lily Pinchin
LOP off. Goes well here but in lesser company. Made mistakes when third at Kelso latest.
WAYFINDER 1
Jockey: Adam Wedge
WAY out. Dual winner here before poor run last time. Not certain to see out this trip. Swerve.
REGINA DRACONES 1
Jockey: Harry Cobden
SACK Drac. Did well last season but has looked rusty this year. Should stay but needs more to figure.
MOVETHECHAINS 3
Jockey: Jamie Moore
MOVE it. In cracking form last season in minor company with three good wins around 3m. Capable of better and interesting after a break.
THE TWO AMIGOS 1
Jockey: David Pritchard
TWO hard. Not won for three years but stays well and not disgraced at Haydock last time. This is much tougher.
GATS AND CO 1
Jockey: Connor Brace
NO to Co. Bits of form at lower levels but doesn’t look up to this.
D’JANGO 1
Jockey: David Noonan
D’JAN-Go. Not shown much this season and well short of this level.
Templegate’s tip
THE BIG DOG has plenty of bite in the Coral Welsh Grand National.
He landed the Munster National before following up with an impressive Troytown victory at Navan.
Peter Fahey’s hope looks much improved from last year and will enjoy this challenge.
Quirky The Big Breakaway ran well at Haydock and has every chance, while Quick Wave impressed in the London National at Sandown.
She’s shortlisted along with The Galloping Bear and Ask Me Early.
