Welsh Grand National big-race verdict: Top tipsters in agreement on 33-1 outsider 🤝

One of the most competitive marathon staying events of the season, the Welsh Grand National is one of the feature races of the Christmas period. A maximum field of 20 runners head to post and it’s quite the puzzle to solve. Secret Reprieve will bid to become the first repeat winner of the race since Bonanza By in 1989.

The inclusion of Native River means it’s a very classy affair and we’ll have horse racing tips for Kempton and Chepstow on Monday. Both Matt Newman and Owen Goulding have taken a look through the Welsh Grand National and you can find their selections below.

“I’m mystified by the price”

I’m mystified by the price of Venetia Williams Achille, who bids to follow in the footsteps of Mountainous and Raz Da Maree as a veteran winner of the race. His experience is what draws me to him, especially as he’s been hugely competitive in top marathon events in the last few years.

That includes a pair of runner-up efforts last season, beaten half a length in both the Classic at Warwick and the Grand National Trial at Haydock. He capped off the season with a good sixth in the Midlands Grand National and shaped as though he needed the run in the Becher on return.

With race fitness on his side, from three pounds below his Uttoxeter rating, he’s going to be a tough horse to keep out of the frame – Owen Goulding

Experience can count

Achille is a veteran not only in years but in terms of running in these dour stamina tests. He was a touch unfortunate not to win at least one last season, finishing second in the Classic Chase and a Grand National Trial.

He was behind a couple of these when only sixth in the Midlands National in March but ground that was only good to soft and a sharp enough track didn’t make that a sufficient test of stamina.

Deep ground here is perfect for him and with Hugh Nugent able to claim five pounds, he has a featherweight on his back, no bad thing in these conditions. Venetia Williams won this in 2000 and 2014 and this outsider should at least hit the frame under perfect conditions – Matt Newman

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.