TV TIPS (MONDAY)

13:05 Chepstow

Eleven runners go to post for this handicap chase over the best part of two and a half miles.

When You’re Ready is likely to be popular here to follow up his course and distance victory. He wore first time cheek pieces that day and they certainly focused his mind. It will however be much softer ground to contend with this time and obviously a rise in the weights.

Golden Whisky will enjoy these conditions. He actually ran well on seasonal debut at Aintree where conditions were way to lively. He should be in the mix.

The selection is Zambezi Mix. Slightly concerning despite his consistency is his tendency to finish second. But I don’t think there’s a question mark over his attitude. He ran a fine race over hurdles last time and he will certainly be at home on the testing going. His yard do like to have a winner at the track, and the step up in trip could be decisive.

ZAMBEZI MIX (WIN)

written by Matt Polley

13:20 Kempton

Edwardstone has gone from strength to strength so far this season, shrugging off an unfortunate incident at Warwick in November with two convincing victories since, the latter being a Grade 1 at Sandown in early December. He looks more than capable of giving weight to his rivals and notching the hat-trick today.

Solo is a prior course winner having won the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle in 2020 and although hasn’t tasted victory since he has made an encouraging start to his chase career so looks the main danger and will surely be adding to his winning tally before long.

A mention should also go to Raya Time who was a visually impressive winner at Ludlow earlier in the month and if arriving in the same form would have to be considered, for all he will find this a much tougher assignment.

EDWARDSTONE (WIN)

written by Dean Kilbryde

13:40 Chepstow

The Finale Juvenile Hurdle will see some of Britain’s leading hopefuls for the Triumph Hurdle come March do battle. Included in that bracket is Porticello for the Moore’s who was narrowly denied making a perfect three out of three last time in a Grade two and deserves a lot of respect. Magistrato was favourite that day but faded to fourth after being too keen in the early stages and it will be interesting to see which way they place today.

Forever Blessed is two from two in his career and his win last time out at Sandown was a demolition job. While this will be his greatest test so far, his jumping been very good and he has shown he has an above average engine.

FOREVER BLESSED (WIN)

written by Michael Taylor

13:55 Kempton

Tequila Blaze posted a career best effort, when winning a handicap in nice fashion, last time out. She takes the step up to three miles today, which given the nature of her last race and the Kempton track, shouldn’t be a problem. Additionally, the O’Brien barn and Liam Harrison are going well. However, she’s never won on good-to-soft ground and she’s actually worse off on the weights, than when she beat a few of these last time out.

Martha Brae won on her debut for Dan Skelton and has a nice record on this ground. She wasn’t going backwards when having to battle against a rise of eight pounds. That being said, she will carry less weight as Tristan Durrell takes seven pounds off. She hasn’t got a brilliant record on this ground but she commands respect, especially as Dan Skelton won this race last year.

Coded Message placed fourth to the aforementioned Tequila Blaze, at Ascot, after being off since April. She won this race last year and is now rated two pounds less. She has the best chance, on the weights, than any of her competitors. She seems primed for this race and stands a good chance of giving Ben Case a second victory and Charlie Case a first!

CODED MESSAGE (WIN)

written by Kieran McHugh

14:10 Chepstow

Sadly with just the seven set to go to post the idea of an each way angle looks far less appealing with the bookmakers now only offering the first two places to punters. If we were fortunate enough to have another runner set to line up then former course winner Kateson would’ve been worth an each way play but alas we’re left looking for the winner. With that in mind it’s hard to see Take Your Time not making it three victories in a row after his Ffos Las success was followed up by a course and distance win last time out. The yard of Paul Nicholls seems in fine form and despite the rise in weight this six year old looks to be on a steep upward trajectory that should see him outclass his six rivals.

Of the remainder the Welsh trained Geordie Des Champs knows what it takes to win at Chepstow and has won three of his last five starts however at the age of ten looks likely to come up short against younger and fresher opposition.

TAKE YOUR TIME (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock

14:30 Kempton

Sky Pirate is an ultra consistent horse but looks likely to struggle at this level especially considering the level of high class opposition he's got to fend off this afternoon and a finishing position inside the top two looks unlikely.

The price given to rank outsider Before Midnight may actually be a tad harsh. I'm fully aware he needs to produce a career best performance to win a race of this nature but he's done very little wrong considering he's won his last four races. This is the first time he's competed at this level but he more than deserves his shot based on what he's done so far. I actually feel he may well give Greaneteen a run for their money despite a very impressive win last time out in the Tingle Creek. However you'd have to question the quality of the Sandown showpiece that Paul Nicholls' runner won earlier this month.

All that being said, despite 261 days on the sidelines, it'd take a mammoth set of Cajones to bet against the multiple Grade 1 winning Shishkin. Nicky Henderson's superstar is unbeaten in all of his chase starts and hasn't tasted defeat in his last eight runs. He's by far the best horse in the lineup and if his recent wind-op can squeeze out even further improvement it could be scary as to just how good this horse could continue to be.

Bet against Shishkin at your own peril because it'd take a lot to topple the favourite.

For those looking for an alternative then maybe a bet on the outsider Before Midnight to follow home the favourite.

SHISHKIN (WIN)

written by Rory Paddock

14:50 Chepstow

One of the highlights of the UK National Hunt calendar The Welsh National. 20 runners go in what is usually a competitive looking race

20 runners go and as always look for some bookies for extra places (Will Hill & Skybet are paying 7 places & Prices based on them at time of writing)

Last year winner Secret Reprieve who was gambled into last year before going onto to win returns to defend his crown. A worthy favourite this time round and the vibes are that he is ready to go. However, he hasn't been seen since his victory here last year. That has to be a massive question mark. It looks like there will be a fair bit of rain in the morning possibly as well. with the ground soft at the moment there maybe a bit of heavy in the description.

Others to fancy is Scottish National Winner Mighty Thunder who should relish this trip, Iwilldoit won what they call Chepstow Trial race this month and was impressive that day. Will have similar conditions today albeit he is slightly out of the handicap. Venetia Williams is double handed in this race and either of her runners Hold That Taught & Achille warrant respect, At a time of the year when Venetia Williams usually has a lot of winners when the ground gets soft.

My first selection is a former winner of the Welsh National who gets in at bottom weight Potters Corner. Ran well in one of the Cross Country chases this month at Cheltenham already and providing he hasn't come out of that race well. He would have an each way chance at a double figure price. is fairly versatile ground wise and you know he gets this trip. Will have a good chance.

Native River is another with a huge chance and its more than likely he will be dictating the pace of this race. Evan Williams trainer of Secret Reprieve has already said how Native River being in here brings another dimension of this race and will put a lot of horses out of there comfort zone. Although well beaten last time out at Aintree. Native River may of needed the run being older and maybe not as quick as he was however in this stamina testing race like this. This will surely suit Native River. Native River won this race in 2016. The more rain the better for Native River so won't mind that rain forecasted this morning. Another at a double figure price with a massive chance. A popular winner for a very popular horse. My only slight worry is the yard horses haven't been running too brilliantly result wise that would concern me but Native River won the Cotswold Chase at Sandown in February last season.

My final Selection is Mac Tottie at a large price. Mac Tottie has won what effectively some see as a mini Grand National trial at Aintree in November. Which is usually a nice line of form when it comes to these National tests. Mac Tottie hopefully will stay this trip and some of his form would suggest he maybe able to stay this trip. Providing it doesnt get to heavy the ground in my mind looks a little overpriced. If the race fell apart i could see him staying onto a place.

POTTERS CORNER (E/W) - 7 Places

NATIVE RIVER (E/W) - 7 Places

MAC TOTTIE (E/W) - 7 Places

written by Luke Tucker

15:10 Kempton

We end Monday’s ITV action with what looks an ultra-competitive looking handicap chase (yes I’m well aware it’s not as competitive as the Welsh National earlier in the day)

The lineup includes some former graded winners with the likes of Real Steel, who won a Grade 2 race with Willie Mullins and Canelo who claimed a Grade 3 at Wetherby as well as the veteran Double Shuffle who’s been the proverbial bridesmaid throughout his career and really deserves to have won a graded race. He’s finished second in the likes of the King George, the Christy 1965 Chase and also the Many Clouds Chase at Aintree. It’d be a fairytale to see the eleven year old win once again but you’d have to fear his best days are well behind him now.

Of the trio I’d favour Real Steel to help Bryony Frost atone for her poor King George performance with Frodon yesterday but I couldn’t realistically side with any of those I’ve mentioned so far.

Trainer Christian Williams will have most of his attention focused on Chepstow however he may have a solid chance at Kempton in the form of Five Star Getaway. The gelding managed to win three races on the bounce back in Spring and if he can put his disappointing return to action behind him he could look markedly overpriced come the off.

With a small handful of winners here at Kempton yesterday any horse that trainer Nicky Henderson is set to send out deserves the upmost respect and Morning Vicar should prove much fitter after his run last month. He’s not much higher than his last winning mark and although he needs to show improvement now at this level I’d be shocked if he failed to finish outside of the money and looks a generous price at current odds of 8/1.

MORNING VICAR (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock