IWILLDOIT can prove as good as his word for local boy made good Sam Thomas in the Coral Welsh Grand National (2.50) at Chepstow.
Abergavenny-born Thomas, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup aboard the legendary Denman in 2008, has seen his career as a trainer take off since relocating from Lambourn to take the helm of owner Dai Walters’ complex at Lisvane on the outskirts of Cardiff.
And the eight-year-old Iwilldoit is also on an upward curve if his latest success, in Chepstow’s Welsh Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at the beginning of the month, is any guide.
Having just his third outing over fences, Iwilldoit and Stan Sheppard came home in isolation by 24 lengths from Colorado Doc.
The way my selection ran through the line raises hopes he has the staying power for an additional three-quarters of a mile, and Iwilldoit is 6lb well in under a 4lb penalty.
The Grade 1 Coral Finale Junior Hurdle (1.40) is the ideal opportunity for FOREVER BLESSED to defend his unbeaten record - and rack up a first victory at the top level.
Sent off a 17-2 chance for his hurdles debut, at Ffos Las in October, the Harry Fry-saddled son of Zoffany came home by 11 lengths from George Bancroft.
Forever Blessed then justified odds of 4-9 at Sandown Park 24 days ago with an 18-length romp from Romeo’s Bond - and there is plenty more where that came from.
Last-time-out course-and-distance scorer WHEN YOU’RE READY is hard to get away from in the Watch Racing Online Free With Coral Handicap Chase (1.05), and a step forward from his comeback third at Ffos Las is anticipated from BELLS OF PETERBORO in the Coral "Fail To Finish" Free Bets Handicap Hurdle (2.10).
At Kempton Park, SHISHKIN is expected to defend his unbeaten record over fences in the Grade Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase (2.30).
Nicky Henderson’s star carried all before him as a novice chaser last season and, although there has been a bump in the road prior to his delayed return, Nico de Boinville’s mount has the edge over market rival and Tingle Creek Chase hero Greaneteen.
Alan King’s EDWARDSTONE landed the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase on Sandown Park’s Tingle Creek undercard and should give the weight away in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase (1.20).
Favourite TEQUILA BLAZE deserves her place at the head of the betting for the Play Ladbrokes 5-A-Side On Football Mares' Handicap Hurdle (1.55), while FLEGMATIK has a good shout in the Ladbrokes 1-2-Free On Football Handicap Chase (3.10).
Newsboy's top tips
WETHERBY
11.50 TOP AND DROP
12.25 HARBOUR LAKE
1.00 CHINWAG
1.35 MONSIEUR POM POM
2.15 CHEDDLETON
2.45 ATOMIC ANGEL
3.20 SULLIVAN’S BROW
CHEPSTOW
12.30 CHAVEZ
1.05 WHEN YOU’RE READY
1.40 FOREVER BLESSED
2.10 BELLS OF PETERBORO (NAP)
2.50 IWILLDOIT (NB)
3.25 PATS FANCY
3.55 MISTER MARBLES
KEMPTON PARK
12.45 ICEO
1.20 EDWARDSTONE
1.55 TEQUILA BLAZE
2.30 SHISHKIN
3.10 FLEGMATIK
3.40 JOHN LOCKE
WOLVERHAMPTON
4.10 BLAZING HOT
4.40 AASSER
5.10 JUSTJAMIE
5.40 HERON
6.10 POPTRONIC
6.40 UMM HURAIR
7.10 PRECISION STORM
7.40 TOPLIGHT
