Horse Racing Betting Tips: Baie and Blue boost Ireland’s bid for Welsh National repeat

THERE is always a feast of racing on both sides of the Irish Sea over Christmas and while not many horses from Britain will be travelling over to the Emerald Isle, the Irish could plunder one of our biggest prizes for the second year running.

Thursday’s Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50pm) at Chepstow is always fiercely competitive and it was Gavin Cromwell’s 13-year-old Raz De Maree who crossed the line in front in last year’s rescheduled race in early January.

He’s back for more off only a 2lb higher mark, but has completely lost his way recently and this looks like a final throw of the dice by his connections.

The two Irish contenders to back this time are FOLSOM BLUE and BAIE DES ILES who are both strong stayers that love soft ground.

Gordon Elliott’s Folsom Blue is now 11-years-old, but his win in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown in February followed by a fourth in the Irish Grand National proves how much he loves these marathon staying handicaps.

A reappearance fourth in a three mile handicap hurdle at Haydock last month on ground that was too quick for him was a decent effort, and he looks a great each-way bet at 10/1 with Ladbrokes.

Baie Des Iles, trained by Katie Walsh’s husband Ross O’Sullivan, won the 2017 Punchestown Grand National Trial and was third behind Folsom Blue in this year’s renewal.

Only a seven-year-old, he did well to finish 12th in the Grand National at Aintree in April before an excellent Grade Two win at Auteuil in June.

Stamina is his forte and this has surely been the plan for quite some time, so the 14/1 available is a more than fair each-way price.

Ramses De Teillee, who has won his last three at Chepstow, is a worthy favourite but he isn’t certain to get the trip, while Elegant Escape had a hard race in the Ladbrokes Trophy last month.

There’s no better way to get over the Boxing Day hangover than to head to Kempton for the 32Red King George VI Chase (3.05pm).

This is the highlight of the entire Christmas period for many racing fans and although there isn’t a Kauto Star-like superstar in this year’s field, it looks a fascinating contest.

There are reasons to oppose every runner, not least last year’s winner Might Bite who put in an abject performance in the Betfair Chase last month.

The stiff fences may have been the reason for that, but I’m not prepared to chance him at just 3/1 following such a lacklustre display.

Waiting Patiently is making his first start of the season and has to prove his stamina, as does Politologue who is trying three miles for the first time.

Bristol De Mai disappointed in this race 12 months ago and Native River surely wants a more galloping track.

By a process of elimination then, the one to be with is 2016 winner THISTLECRACK who looked back to something near his best when third at Haydock last time.

He has had his fair share of injury problems over the past couple of years, but he’s top class on his day and is the best bet here at 7/1 with Coral to give Colin Tizzard his third King George in the past four years.

POINTERS

Thistlecrack e/w King George (26th December)

Folsom Blue e/w Welsh National (27th December)

Baie Des Iles e/w Welsh National (27th December)