Sean Bowen Chepstow Blog | Coral Welsh Grand National Day
26 Dec 2024
Coral Racing Ambassador, Sean Bowen, previews his four rides at Chepstow on Coral Welsh Grand National Day, including one for trainer Gordon Elliott in the feature contest who finished 4th in the Kim Muir at the Cheltenham Festival earlier this year.
12:30 Chepstow – Korus
This horse has run well in two novice hurdles. The handicapper has given him an opening mark of 107. Although I don’t know much about him, he looked to have stayed well in those last two runs, which is a positive sign. This will be his first outing since having a wind-op, and it is a nice ride to pick up.
13:40 Chepstow – Static
He has put two solid runs together this season since coming over from France. East India Dock beat him last time out at Cheltenham, and I think that form will look better as the season progresses, as James Owens’ runner is a very smart juvenile. He gets another shot at a Grade Two contest here and based on his form, he is a big player.
14:10 Chepstow – Woodie Flash
This horse has taken a huge step forward this season after a long break over the summer. He scored comfortably on his opening start of the campaign at Ffos Las. He then went close to successfully following up at Newbury.
I rode him on both of those starts. He has gone up 5lb for his latest run, which means he will carry top weight in this contest. I see no reason why he can’t improve again, so I think he has an excellent chance.
14:50 Chepstow – Where It All Began
He hasn’t run since last winter so it will be difficult to win a race like this on his first start back, but if anybody can train a horse to do that, it is Gordon Elliott. He has some good handicap chase form in Ireland, and he stays very well. I am sure he will be where he needs to be fitness-wise.
As a Welshman, the Coral Welsh Grand National has always been a race I’ve wanted to win growing up. My brother won the race in 2017 on board Raz De Maree at the age of just 16, so, at the moment, he has bragging rights over me. If I was successful in this race, it really would be my highlight of the festive period.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
12:30 Chepstow – Korus
This horse has run well in two novice hurdles. The handicapper has given him an opening mark of 107. Although I don’t know much about him, he looked to have stayed well in those last two runs, which is a positive sign. This will be his first outing since having a wind-op, and it is a nice ride to pick up.
13:40 Chepstow – Static
He has put two solid runs together this season since coming over from France. East India Dock beat him last time out at Cheltenham, and I think that form will look better as the season progresses, as James Owens’ runner is a very smart juvenile. He gets another shot at a Grade Two contest here and based on his form, he is a big player.
14:10 Chepstow – Woodie Flash
This horse has taken a huge step forward this season after a long break over the summer. He scored comfortably on his opening start of the campaign at Ffos Las. He then went close to successfully following up at Newbury.
I rode him on both of those starts. He has gone up 5lb for his latest run, which means he will carry top weight in this contest. I see no reason why he can’t improve again, so I think he has an excellent chance.
14:50 Chepstow – Where It All Began
He hasn’t run since last winter so it will be difficult to win a race like this on his first start back, but if anybody can train a horse to do that, it is Gordon Elliott. He has some good handicap chase form in Ireland, and he stays very well. I am sure he will be where he needs to be fitness-wise.
As a Welshman, the Coral Welsh Grand National has always been a race I’ve wanted to win growing up. My brother won the race in 2017 on board Raz De Maree at the age of just 16, so, at the moment, he has bragging rights over me. If I was successful in this race, it really would be my highlight of the festive period.
Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador
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