Baie Des Iles The Value In Welsh National

From one star novice to another as Altior takes centre stage on Tuesday following Thistlecrack’s phenomenal display in the King George on Monday.

Unlike Thistlecrack, Altior is sticking to the novice ranks but similar to Thistlecrack we should expect a facile win. There is value elsewhere across the Irish Sea though.

Moore Woe For Henry
With a large number of bright prospects lining up for him on Monday, the day didn’t exactly pan out as Henry de Bromhead would have hoped with Identity Thief pulling up early, capping off a trying day but he’ll be hoping for more joy when Special Tiara takes his chance in the Desert Orchid Chase for which he is the EVS favourite with BoyleSports.

It’s a race that Special Tiara won two seasons ago but it’s Sire De Grugy, the 2013 winner who was runner-up to Sprinter Sacre in last year’s renewal, who is given the nod to oblige again.

Only four go to post and it does look to be a duel between the two previous winners and although Special Tiara put in a decent effort at Cheltenham on his seasonal debut, Sire De Grugy may just have enough to be victorious for Gary and Jamie Moore.

The former champion chase winner isn’t back to the dizzy heights that saw him conquer the division but…

he is definitely running to a higher level than last year and he put in a gallant effort in defeat behind Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek.

13/8 looks worth taking about him.

National Service For Walsh
A Grade 1 double at Kempton on Monday was another season highlight for the Tizzard family and now their main focus of attention turns to Chepstow for the Welsh National where they have three runners including the top weight and Hennessy winner Native River.

Some suggest that Native River could develop into a Gold Cup contender to join Thistlecrack and Cue Card if he can defy top weight here while Viconte du Noyer and Theatre Guide are the other stable representatives.

This race is an annual war of attrition though and while it’s hard to say that Baie Des Iles has the form good enough to win the £150,000 contest, she does have the form and credentials to run a big race with a light weight.

The Irish raider has cheek pieces for the first time and just 11-stone on her back.

At just five years of age she is still open to loads of improvement.

At 16/1 she represents each-way value for the husband and wife team of Ross O’Sullivan and Katie Walsh.

Baie Des Iles was sixth in the Irish Grand National on ground that would be much better than ideal and there’s no doubt that her three best runs came last season when the ground was fairly bottomless so if Chepstow’s highlight turns into another grueller expect Baie Des Iles to be doing her best work late and hopefully staying on to give us a profit.

Recommended Bets:
Sire De Grugy – 2.20 Kempton
Baie Des Iles – 2.40 Chepstow

*Prices correct at time of publication.