Chepstow Welsh National Course Guide

Chepstow Racecourse hosts the highlight of the Welsh racing season – The Coral Welsh National. This Grade 3 race is open to horses aged 4 and above. The course is just over three and a half miles, making is shorter than Aintree’s Grand National course, the Welsh National also has 8 fewer fences than the English race.

The Welsh National is traditionally run in late Decemeber. However, bad weather caused the postponement of the 2010 race. Eventually the meeting was held in January making the 2010 winner (Synchronised) also the 2011 winner! This year the Welsh National will technically have two winners, so long as the weather bad holds off and the race is run on the scheduled date of Tuesday 27th December.

The first running of the Welsh National at Chepstow was in 1949, previously the race was held at courses in Cardiff and Caerleon. Chepstow first opened it’s doors to punters in 1926 and has been at the forefront of Welsh racing ever since. Chepstow is regarded as one of the most testing racecourses in the British Isles, the track is undulating, long and a real test on heavy ground.

The Welsh National is often seen as a test ground for Grand National runners. It’s not surprising that many winners of the Welsh National have also gone on to win the big race at Aintree. In recent years Silver Birch, Earth Summit and Bindaree have all won both races. Further back in time Rag Trade won the Welsh National in 1976 and the Grand National in the same year. Corbiere won the Welsh National in 1982 and the Grand National in 1983.

Coral Welsh National Video

Chepstow is located between Bristol and Cardiff, the racecourse being just a few miles from the Severn Bridge. The course is set in beautiful countryside, just outside the town of Chepstow in Monmouthshire, Wales, near the southern end of the Wye Valley which forms the border with England. The picturesque Wye Valley provides a striking backdrop to 440 acres of historic parkland.

In total twenty six meetings are scheduled at be held at the course in 2012. Ticket prices are very reasonable, entry for the Coral Welsh Grand National can be purchased from the official website for a little as £20, Premier and Premier Plus tickets range from between £30 and £70+.

As always the Coral Welsh National promises thrilling racing with top trainers and jockeys competing for the glory of this year’s Welsh National crown, why not join them down at Chepstow!