The Welsh National at Chepstow is one of the betting highlights of the Festive period but it also throws up plenty of clues for the Grand National at Aintree in April.

The Best Grand National Trial

In recent years Party Politics, Earth Summit, Bindaree and, most recently, Mon Mome all raced in the Welsh National in the same season before going on to glory at Aintree.

Conditions at Chepstow are usually very testing and its well known that the 3m 5f trip brings out every ounce of stamina in it’s participants. We can, therefore, be assured that any horse making the final entries at Chepstow will be fancied to have enough stamina not only for the Welsh National but for the Grand National itself.

Other Famous Names

A number of other Aintree winners have competed in the Welsh National in an earlier season before winning a Grand National later in their careers.

So, even if your fancy doesn’t make it to Aintree this year make a note of their name as they just might be a Grand National winner of the future in the mould of Comply Or Die, Silver Birch and Hedgehunter who all have tried their luck in Chepstow’s most famous race.

Who could complete the Welsh/English double this year?

Le Beau Bai (11/2 Sportingbet) and The Tother One (6/1 Paddy Power) head the market for the Welsh National at the time of writing with the last named the most likely to go on to Aintree glory, although he looks high enough in the weights.

A couple further down the list who could be of interest for Chepstow and Aintree are Sue Smith’s Coe (16/1 with Bet365 for Chepstow) and the Philip Hobb’s trained Kornati Kid (20/1 with Skybet). Both of these ran in last year’s NH Chase and that race has a decent record for horses coming on to the Welsh National.

Flintoff would love heavy ground

If the ground becomes very heavy Flintoff (12/1 with Coral) who recently moved to the Tim Vaughan yard from Venetia Williams could be the horse most likely to benefit but a great race looks to be in prospect and the Aintree Grand National prices are sure to be heavily affected following Monday’s race so get your bets on now!

** You can bet on Monday's Welsh National with Britain's biggest bookmaker William Hill. Click here to open an account **