27th-Dec-2021

… Iwilldoit is the best bet in my book.  Sam Thomas’ horse is more lightly-raced than ideal for this test, but he is seriously progressive, and he was very impressive in winning the Welsh National Trial over three miles at the track two and a half weeks ago.

He jumped well, he travelled well, prominently, and he and Colorado Doc came nicely clear of their rivals.  Then on the run-in, Iwilldoit came right away from Colorado Doc, leaving the impression that he would do even better with a stiffer test of stamina.

We know that course form is crucial when it comes to the Welsh National.  An ability to operate over Chepstow’s undulations is key.  The ground was good to soft for the trial, but Iwilldoit has good form on softer ground too, he stayed on well to win a two-mile-six-furlong handicap chase at Kelso at this time of year two years ago on soft ground, and he won a three-mile handicap hurdle at Carlisle on soft ground three seasons ago.

He will have to race from 6lb out of the handicap on Monday, if, as seems likely, Native River stands his ground, but he was set to be 6lb well-in under just a 4lb penalty for his latest win, so, actually, he will be racing off his true mark of 140.  And if Native River happens to come out between now and declaration time, he will be 6lb well-in.

IWILLDOIT WON (ADV 12/1, SP 13/2)