THE Coral Welsh Grand National draws ever closer, and at Chepstow’s big day of the year on the 27th, Welsh trainers will be keen to capitalise on their success at Sandown on Tingle Creek day.

On that memorable occasion Evan Williams and Tim Vaughan scored three times between them.

The one entry from Monmouthshire is Grace Harris’ Field Exhibition. Since joining her stable a year ago she has improved by over two stone according to the handicapper. That gives the nine-year-old mare a chance of scraping into the Welsh National field, but is dependent on 28 of the current 50 entries dropping out. Stamina has to be taken on trust, as she’s only run once over as far as three miles.

Field Exhibition won that race, though only against two opponents. She’s been successful on good, soft and heavy going. If she does get a run, she will be a big price, but she’d only have to carry ten stone, and even less if a conditional is given the ride. However, her participation also depends on how she comes out of her run in today’s 1.55 at Newbury, where she faces just three rivals.

On the same Chepstow card there’s a Grade 1 juvenile hurdle, the Finale, which usually throws up some top class horses. Quel Destin won it for Paul Nicholls last year and he went on to finish fifth in the Triumph Hurdle. So far he’s won seven of his 17 career starts. The 2016 running was a triumph for Philip Hobbs’s Defi Du Seuil, whose record is 13-19. He is currently disputing favouritism for the Queen Mother and the Ryanair at Cheltenham.

There will be plenty of entertainment throughout the day for the entire family as well as the thrilling racing. International opera superstars Sir Bryn Terfel and Rebecca Evans will be there to sing the National Anthem as the runners circle at the start for the big race. Tickets for this two enclosure meeting are on sale at £27 per person for the Grandstand & Paddock enclosure and £32 per person for the Premier enclosure. However, these are advance prices; on the day, admission will cost £5 more in each case. For every admission ticket purchased in advance for the Welsh National meeting, the course is offering a complimentary return ticket to their fixture on Monday, 2nd March.

David Evans clocked up two more Wolverhampton winners on Monday night with a pair of two-year-olds. Heer We Go Again had won over five furlongs at Bath in the spring, making all on fast ground wearing a first-time visor. He hasn’t quite lived up to that since, but with a low draw and a fast start on the tight Midlands track he was able to charge off in front and didn’t see another rival. Later, in a claimer over a mile, Isobar Wind was reasonably well in and put his experience to good use by winning for the third time. His SP of 5/1 was great value in hindsight.

The stable’s previous winner, Kodiline, came in a Lingfield seller last Wednesday, breaking a losing run of 17. He won well, by two lengths, but his overall record in 2019 meant there was no interest at the post-race auction.