2021 Welsh Grand National Ante-Post Tip by Dave Stevos
2021 Welsh Grand National Tip
Unfortunately, the 2021 Welsh Grand National will be run behind closed doors this year, just like in 2020. It is disappointing that there will be no fans at Chepstow, yet 130 miles down the road the Alexandra Palace will be jam packed for the darts. 30 remained in the field this morning and the one I like at a huge price is Fortescue for Henry Daly. Daly won this race in 1999 with Edmond and he has a very decent chance of landing another one with this young stayer.
This 7yo son of Shirocco has progressed nicely in the last couple of seasons over fences. He has had 11 chase starts and he has failed to finish in the first three just three times. He started his chasing career with a win at Southwell (24f sft) off 112 in October 2019. Another two wins were added at the start of 2020. Off 117 at Uttoxeter (24f hvy) and off 121 at Exeter (24f sft).
He failed to win off his revised mark of 129 on his first three starts of last season. His best effort came at Bangor (24f hvy) when he was beat a neck by Snuff Box. However, in March and April he showed his progression wasn’t finished with wins at Sandown (24f sft) and Perth (24f gd/sft) off marks of 128 and 134 respectively.
Solid Form
Henry Daly’s charge returned to action at Kelso on ground plenty quick for him. He ran a blinder in 3rd off 140, finishing 3L behind Big River and 6L behind Empire De Maulde. The latter horse ran well in a G3 handicap off 5lbs higher next time. Big River hacked up in the Borders’ National next time up so the form has worked out pretty nicely.
Last time out in the Ladbrokes Trophy, Fortescue was beat 40L into 7th. However, he was hampered and in the circumstances it wasn’t a bad run at all. He finished off his race nicely and this step up to 30.5f should be in his favour. His sire, Shirocco, sired Minella Rocco, a winner over 4 miles at Cheltenham. His dam’s half-sister, Sail By The Stars, was 5th in this race for Daly in 1998. So, he is definitely bred for the job.
Fortescue ran a lovely race on his only previous start at Chepstow. He finished 2nd over 23.5f so we know he handles the track. His two runs this season should have left him piping fit for this race and on the form of his Kelso comeback, he is capable of being competitive off his mark of 139. The forecast rain is in his favour, Henry Daly’s horses are in super form and at odds of 50/1, Fortescue is the each way selection for the 2021 Welsh Grand National.
