McGinty’s time in the Coral Welsh Grand National is Now
– Now McGinty looks the ideal type for the gruelling stamina test today that is the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Stuart Edmunds’ eight-yearold ticks enough boxes to suggest he has strong claims for this 5800m handicap chase.
He has plenty of experience without being over-raced or exposed, he has solid form, handles soft and heavy ground, and stays well.
Now McGinty has a course success over nearly 4800m under his belt too, and that alone gives him a big chance. That came at the main expense of subsequent Ladbrokes Trophy hero De Rasher Counter in January, when he got home by six lengths.
The rest of his form bares close inspection, most notably his latest start that came on his seasonal debut after an eight-month break.
Now McGinty gave Santini a scare at Sandown, going down by only a head after making most of the running in a four-horse affair. That race was seven weeks ago and will have put him spot on for this marathon contest.
Cerberus is a notable raider on the same card for Joseph O’Brien in the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle.
This three-year-old failed to win on the Flat for O’Brien - but switching to obstacles has clearly suited, because he has won two of his three starts to date.
Cerberus most recently struck gold in a Grade 3 affair at Fairyhouse at the start of the month, seeing off his stablemate and fellow joint-favourite A Wave Of The Sea with a sharp display of jumping.
That front-running victory should stand him in excellent stead for this rise to Grade 1 level.
Altior’s absence puts Sceau Royal in the driving seat for the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.
Alan King’s charge did not really sparkle on his seasonal return in the Tingle Creek, but he perhaps just needed the run as it was his first start since chasing home Altior in April.
Duc Des Genievres has a slight advantage strictly on the weights, but has yet to fire this term and preference is for Sceau Royal.
Global Citizen was disappointing on his fencing bow, but redemption could be within his reach in the Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase.
A Grade 2 winner over hurdles, he was well beaten on the first attempt in what was a pretty warm Carlisle event.
However, Ben Pauling’s runners were struggling terribly for form at that point - and with the yard’s runners starting to find their groove again now, Global Citizen should not be discounted.
At Wetherby, Hawk High can take the 888Sport Castleford Handicap Chase.
Returning from nearly a year off the track at the Yorkshire venue last month, Hawk High ran a cracker to finish second behind a race-fit rival, seemingly retaining plenty of the ability that saw him win at the 2014 Cheltenham Festival.
Tim Easterby has to tread carefully with what appears to be a fragile inmate, but Hawk High looks made for a race like this.
Stay Classy is on the upgrade, and she can strike again in the Ladbrokes Home Of The Odds Boost EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Wolverhampton.
Chacun Pour Soi should get his winter campaign off to a winning start in the Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown.
This seven-year-old already has a victory at the top level to his credit from only two starts since moving to Willie Mullins’ stable from Emmanuel Clayeux in France.
That came in early May when he got the better of the top-class Defi Du Seuil by 4.25 lengths in the Ryanair Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Chacun Pour Soi is now up against the big boys but ought to pass this test with honours. –
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