Wolverhampton and Chepstow feature live on Saturday on Sky Sports Racing with the latter hosting a competitive renewal of the Welsh National Trial.
1.37 Chepstow – Good Risk At All and Gelino Bello headline Welsh National Trial
Good Risk At All and Gelino Bello clash in the Coral Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase (1.37).
The Sam Thomas yard is in fine form and Good Risk At All will be fancied as he makes his seasonal reappearance in the hands of Dylan Johnston. He is a classy hurdler and scored on one of his three chase starts last season, but will need to bounce back from a heavy defeat here in December last year.
Gelino Bello arrives as top weight for champion trainer Paul Nicholls. A Grade One winner as a novice hurdler, he made an encouraging start over fences when winning on his first two starts before being beaten in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton in December 2022. He has not been seen since he was pulled in the Cleeve Hurdle 679 days ago and so will have a bit to prove.
His stablemate Brave Kingdom is fancied for this contest as he is two from three over fences and drops in grade having contested the Reynoldstown Chase when last seen.
2.12 Chepstow – Debut winner Livin On Luco faces Mahland
A tough contest has debut winner Living On Luco bidding for two on the bounce in the Coral ‘We’re Here For It’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2.12).
Philip Hobbs and Johnson White’s charge triumphed over 2m 5f at Newton Abbot in late October and should appreciate this stiffer test over almost three miles.
Mel Rowley’s Mahland got off the mark over hurdles when seeing off Minella Blueway at Ffos Las in April. On his seasonal debut he rates an interesting newcomer to fences.
Wrappedupinmay has undergone wind surgery since winning his final start of last season and better is expected now tackling the larger obstacles.
6.30 Wolverhampton – Lerwick and Arcadian Nights feature
Lerwick and Arcadian Nights feature in the £30 In Free Bets With BetUK Handicap (6.30).
Ed Bethell saddles Lerwick, who made an encouraging all-weather debut when finishing second over a mile at Southwell. This extra distance of one mile one-and-a-half furlongs could see him go one better despite a 1lb rise in the weights.
Arcadian Nights is a three-time course and distance winner and looks sure to be competitive after an excellent runner-up effort here in October.
Asgard’s Captain completes the shortlist and bids to make it a third course success, although he does need to take a step forward to get back to winning ways.
Watch every race from Chepstow and Wolverhampton live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday December 7.