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Welsh Grand National Odds: Giles Cross well fancied in the latest betting

Thirty three runners remain at the confirmation stage for Tuesday's gruelling Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Defending champion Synchronised is joint favourite at odds of 7/1 for the highlight of the Welsh racing calendar, although his participation is in doubt and last year's runner-up Giles Cross will hope to offer the better value at 7/1 with Stan James.

Jonjo O'Neill has indicated that Synchronised is likely to head to Ireland for the Lexus Chase at the Leopardstown Christmas Meeting on Wednesday instead as he is reluctant to see his 8-year-old concede considerable weight all round in Wales.

Giles Cross (10st 6lbs) will hope to take full advantage if Synchronised (11st 11lbs) is absent as Victor Dartnall's gelding has chased Synchronised home in his last two appearances at Chepstow, including in this race last year. The 9-year-old has shown a real appetite for this tough track in the past and Dartnall has trained him specifically for this 3 mile, 5 & ½ furlong challenge.

Dartnall's hopeful is likely to face strong opposition from O'Neill's second string though as Galaxy Rock looks a very interesting contender at odds of 10/1 with Stan James. The up-and-coming 7-year-old should be right in the mix after a hugely impressive Grade Three win at Cheltenham, where he beat Carruthers and Hey Big Spender over 3 miles, 3 & ½ furlongs.

Carruthers has since won the Hennessy in tremendous style and is an industry best priced 10/1 in the latest odds, although we fancy he could struggle on the gruelling Chepstow course and ground. Mark Bradstock's 8-year-old looks better suited to courses like Newbury and he could struggle to make an impact on Tuesday, even when receiving 4lbs from top weight Hey Big Spender (11st 12lbs).

Hey Big Spender won the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle last time out and the 14/1 shot has achieved plenty from top weight in the past.

Meanwhile, experience of the Chepstow course is often an important factor in the Welsh National and Viking Blond is another who could provide interest. Priced 10/1 by StanJames.com, Nigel Twiston-Davies's gelding won at this course on good-to-soft ground a few races back and has since run well twice in defeat. The 6-year-old lost out to Grands Crus and Sonofvic in a red hot novice chase at Newbury and the way he travelled would suggest he should go well on Tuesday, although it is a big ask for a novice to win this tough handicap.

12/1 chance As Der Fer is another young hopeful after being backed in from long odds by connections when winning at Ffos Las last time, while Richard Lee's Le Beau Bai (12/1) stayed on dourly to win over three miles on heavy ground at Chepstow three weeks ago.

Elsewhere, 2009 Grand National winner Mon Mome still holds an entry for Venetia Williams and the 50/1 punt should improve for his reappearance over hurdles at Ascot last week, although the race could well be set to see Giles Cross emerge from the shadow of Synchronised.

2011 Welsh Grand National Odds

7/1 Synchronised
7/1 Giles Cross
10/1 Carruthers
10/1 Galaxy Rock
10/1 Viking Blond
12/1 Le Beau Bai
12/1 As Der Fer
14/1 Hey Big Spender
14/1 Neptune Equester
14/1 Sona Sasta
16/1 Any Currency
16/1 Cappa Bleu
16/1 Cannington Brook
20/1 BAR

Odds provided by StanJames.com.

Posted: Thursday, 22nd December 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: welsh grand national, synchronised, giles cross, carruthers, stan james,

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