2011 Coral Welsh National Top Contenders

We're creeping up on the rescheduled running of the 2011 Welsh National at Chepstow and it's really shaping up to be a fascinating staying contest. We've had the field clipped down from 63 to about 32 plausible runners and a few standouts are starting to emerge. We'll be looking at some of the better contenders here, either from a form or value stand-point. 

Accomplished handicapper Master Overseer looks like he's in-play at a very enticing 20/1 price after a near miss in his seasonal debut on January 2nd of this year. He acquitted himself supremely well considering he was laid off for almost exactly a year after taking three wins on the bounce. He doesn't look particularly outmatched by anybody here and he's run at or about this level for quite some time. The David Pipe charge remains a very interesting outside selection. 

Maktu has established himself as the solid second favourite in the antepost market and it's definitely justified as he performed admirably in his first step up to handicap action on his seasonal debut at Haydock. He missed by a whisker to the talented King Fontaine and that came on the back of wins on the beginner and novice chase circuits to close out his 09/10 season. You might want him at double digits but don't expect his 7/1 price to rise much. The fact that he has only run against small fields is a stroke against him as the ability to navigate around 30+ geldings can be make or break in handicaps like this. 
 

Top weight Synchronised is taking the bulk of the money and will likely have AP up for this one. He's got a listed victory to his credit and he should be able to outstay this crowd if he jumps cleanly and gets a clear shot when he pulls off his usual late charge. Will be looking elsewhere on the day as the 5/1 will not lengthen. 
 

Watamu Bay is the real wildcard in this bunch with the Nicholls-trained bay running 211 in his three outings this year, sent off as the odds-on or even-money favourite each time. He's been laid off since mid November and he'll be well worked out for this one. He's priced around 10/1 at the moment and it really just comes down to whether two extremely comfortable victories on the novice circuit can translate to winning potential at Grade 3 level. It doesn't look like Nicholls has found the bottom of him as he's been coming on gamely towards the end of 3m contests. He has never run beyond 3m before and how well he manages to stay the final 5f could be the deciding factor.