2:50 Chepstow Tips

A very competitive Welsh National, and Jubilee Express fits the profile perfectly. He won the trial at this track a few weeks ago, a race that has thrown up the winner a few times in recent years. He is trained by the most underrated trainer, Sam Thomas, and can go one better than last year.

This has been the Tizzard 7yo's target for ages, and a 9 lb rise may not stop him based on the way he took apart an Ascot field 35 days ago. My only slight concern is the lack of Chepstow form.

O'Connell has won 5 of his 16 starts over fences. He won 3 times last season. After finishing 3rd on his seasonal debut at Carlisle last month, he recorded his latest win when taking the London National at Sandown by 3.75 lengths. He has a 4 lb penalty, but the yard is in good form with 7 winners already this month. He looks like a good each-way bet with 5 places on offer.

Disappointing in a Grade 1 chase when second favourite last time. Can be forgiven for that, and although he's carrying a lot of weight, he has the ability to take this if back to his best.

Mr Vango enjoys jumping prominently from fence to fence and stays well, so he should be involved in the finish of the Welsh National despite a big weight and some improvers to whom he has to give weight.

Collectors Item won a couple of races last season and made an excellent return with a second place to a good horse three weeks ago.

Excels when running over a long trip with last 2 wins coming at Plumpton on soft over 28f & then last run 28 days ago winning at Newcastle over 30f on good to soft so should get the trip no problem & is ground versatile throw in the low weight carrying & has good chance of making the frame at decent odds but will most probably find 1 or 2 better .

It looks like this isn't a Cheltenham horse, so we don't have the worry of him having his handicap mark protected. He stays on the same mark after staying on for 2nd last time out on seasonal debut. The third has won his next race too, and this horse is still 1 lb below his last winning mark. I'd have the horse nearer to the 10/1 to 12/1 mark, so he looks a good each-way bet to me at 18/1.

Winner of the Irish National 2 years ago. Was a half length behind Nick Rockett, giving weight away prior to the latter's Grand National win. Blew the cobwebs away in the Coral Cup and has Bryony Frost on board for the double greens.

This looks like a very competitive renewal of the Welsh National. Personally, I'm interested in a few of these, but at the prices I think this horse offers good value. The odds probably reflect pulling up in two of its last three starts, but both of those were at Aintree, which doesn't appear to suit. Monbeg Genius has a good record at Chepstow and finished fourth in this race last year off the same mark. Jonjo Jr takes the ride and should outrun these odds if jumping holds up. I also think Tanganyika is worth an each-way bet, but MG is my main each-way punt given Chepstow form.

With five places on offer, I think this one has a good chance of being among them at an excellent price. It finished 2nd in this year's Midlands National over a distance further than this, so it will have the stamina needed. That also came on good to soft going, so we know the ground conditions will be fine.