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My name is Rhys, a first time dad blogging about my adventures and experiences of being a parent. [email protected]

Welsh Grand National Winner Set for Shot at Gold Cup

Posted by Rhys Gregory January 15, 2024

Nassalam became the latest horse to add his name to the Welsh Grand National roll of honour during the festive period when he won the feature race at Chepstow. The chaser was far too good for his rivals in the marathon contest, scoring by an emphatic 34 lengths.

That victory in Wales’s biggest race of the season has tempted connections of the horse to have a shot at the blue riband event in the sport, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, later in the campaign. He is one of 20 horses that have been entered for the race at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Strong Field Includes Defending Champion Galopin Des Champs

Gary Moore’s runner brought his tally over fences to five successes when he scored on his latest start. It was the biggest prize of his career so far, and it has helped him jump up to an official chase rating of 161.

Nassalam has been priced up at 40/1 in the betting for the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Those looking to back the Welsh Grand National winner should consider the leading Cheltenham offers 2024. For example, Betfred are offering £40 in bonuses to new customers when you stake £10 on horse racing.

The betting suggests the horse to beat in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is last year’s winner Galopin Des Champs. The Irish horse was very impressive in the race in 2023, finishing ahead of King George VI Chase winner Bravemansgame, in what proved to be an excellent dual between the two chasers in the latter stages of the race.

Galopin Des Champs was back to his best recently in the Grade One Savills Chase at Leopardstown. He is set to run in the Irish Gold Cup in February in what will be his final appearance before making the trip across the Irish Sea.

Opposition to Nassalam in the Cheltenham Festival feature also includes multiple Grade One winner chaser Fastorslow. He finished ahead of Galopin Des Champs on his last two appearances.

Aintree Also Likely to Be on The Agenda

The Grand National at Aintree in April is also likely to be a target for Nassalam in the latter stages of the 2023/24 season. The world’s most famous steeplechase takes place over the distance of 4m2½f, and the way he finished his race at Chepstow indicates he has the stamina for that test.

Seven-year-old chasers don’t have a great record in the Grand National, but Moore’s runner does have a lot of experience for his age. His connections will also be encouraged by Noble Yeats’ victory at the age of seven in 2022.

Moore has had an excellent start to the 2023/24 season but victory at Aintree would be a career highlight for the Sussex-based trainer. His star chaser ensures he will head to Merseyside with a strong chance of becoming one of only a handful of trainers to win both the English and Welsh Grand Nationals.

Chepstow racegoers will be hoping to see Nassalam return to South Wales in December to defend his crown in the 2024 Welsh Grand National. If he continues to improve this season, he could arrive as a Cheltenham Gold Cup or Grand National winner.

Rhys Gregory
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Editor of Wales247.co.uk