The biggest event on the Wales racing calendar is nearly here - The Coral Welsh Grand National.

The Welsh Grand National, which dates back to 1949, is a handicap chase run over 3 miles and 6½ furlongs and is held at Chepstow Racecourse every year.

The race is "one of the most important staying chases of the season", according to GrandNational.org.uk, and contains 23 obstacles.

If you are planning on attending this year's event, or are purely just interested to see what all the fuss is about, here is all you need to know about the upcoming Welsh Grand National.

Where and when is the Coral Welsh Grand National?

The Coral Welsh Grand National is described, by the Chepstow Racecourse, as the "biggest race day of the year in Wales".

It will take place on December 27, 2023, at Chepstow Racecourse, Monmouthshire.

Are there still tickets available for the Coral Welsh Grand National?

For those hoping to secure a last-minute spot at the event, you are in luck, with a range of ticket options and hospitality packages still available (at the time of publication).

Tickets and hospitality packages still available are:

  • Advance admission ticket - £34 - allows access to public bars, eateries, and betting outlets along with views of the racing action including the parade ring and pre-parade ring.
  • Premier advance admission - £42 - allows access to the premium areas on the course, best bars and best views of racing as well as any live entertainment.
  • Premier Viewing SL - £99 - your day will include access to a suite with great views overlooking the racing action. This package will also get you an admission ticket, race day programme, two welcome drinks (beer, wine or soft drink) and a convenient bar and betting facilities.
  • Premier Viewing - £125 - offers all the same perks as the Premier Viewing SL option with the added extra of a Welsh Grand National Tipster.
  • Trackside Marquee - £169 - This hospitality option grants you a table to return to throughout the day in a heated marquee overlooking the home straight and full access to all public areas. With this package you get a hospitality ticket, race day programme, reserved seats, flat-screen TV screens showing all home and away racing action, welcome drink, guest tipster, two-course carvery lunch, private bar and cream tea. There is also an under-18 package available for £99.
  • Hospitality - Balcony - £250 - (must call to book this package - ph: 01342 831 792) "Enjoy the best views of racing overlooking the home straight and finishing post." This package includes private box with unrivalled views of racing, champagne reception, buffet menu prepared by our experienced chef, private bar facility (various options available), your own member of staff to look after your party throughout, convenient Tote betting facilities, hospitality admission ticket & raceday programme and great access to all public areas to soak up the atmosphere
  • The View Restaurant (non-window seat) - £250 - "Enjoy traditional surroundings in our glass-fronted restaurant offering stunning views of racing." This restaurant package includes a private table for the whole fixture plus access to all public areas; champagne reception; delicious four-course menu designed by our award-winning chefs; entertainment throughout, including a tipster host and tipping competition and tabletop magician; convenient bar and betting facilities; hospitality admission ticket; and race day programme.

For more information or to book your ticket visit the Chepstow Racecourse website here.

Coral Welsh Grand National 2023 runners

The 16 horses taking part in the Welsh Grand National in 2023, according to GrandNational.org.uk, are:

  • Quick Wave
  • Ask Me Early
  • The Galloping Bear
  • The Big Breakaway
  • Truckers Lodge
  • Fortescue
  • Movethechains
  • The Two Amigos
  • Regina Dracones
  • Wayfinder
  • Musical Slave
  • Cyclop
  • Time To Get Up
  • Wouldubewell
  • Fantastikas
  • D’Jango

How to get to the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow Racecourse

There are various ways to get to Chepstow Racecourse for the Welsh Grand National:

Driving

Chepstow racecourse is on the A466 Chepstow to Monmouth road, not far from the now toll-free Severn Bridge.

The racecourse website advises to arrive at least an hour before the first race.

Bus

A shuttle bus service provided by Newport Transport operates from Chepstow Train Station to the Racecourse directly or via the town's bus station, according to event organisers.

It costs £5 for a single trip from Newport train station to Chepstow racecourse with free return on presentation of the ticket to the driver. 

While a single trip from Chepstow train and bus station to the racecourse will set you back £1.

Train

Chepstow station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the town centre.

There are direct trains to Chepstow from Birmingham, Cardiff, Cheltenham Spa, Derby, Gloucester, Newport and Nottingham, according to the Chepstow Racecourse website.

Connections are available at Newport for London (Paddington), Hereford, Shrewsbury, Crewe, Manchester, Swansea and all parts of Wales.

These stations along with Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Salisbury, Portsmouth and all parts of South and West England. 

There are also connections at Cheltenham Spa for Yorkshire, North East of England and Scotland. Connections to London airports at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stanstead.

Other airports with good connections include Birmingham International, East Midlands, Exeter, Manchester, Bristol, Cardiff International and Southampton. 

Dress code at Chepstow Racecourse

There are different dress codes for different areas of the course - hospitality, premium enclosure and grandstand and paddock enclosure. 

You can see the individual dress codes for each area here.

The Chepstow Racecourse adds: "Our priority at Chepstow is making sure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience with us.

"We would remind all racegoers that race meetings at Chepstow are predominantly outdoor events and that they are mindful of the weather when deciding what to wear."

Recent winners of the Welsh Grand National

  • 2022: The Two Amigos (horse) - Nicky Martin (trainer) / David Pritchard (jockey)
  • 2021: Iwilldoit - Sam Thomas / Stan Sheppard
  • 2020: Secret Reprieve - Evan Williams / Adam Wedge
  • 2019: Potters Corner - Christian Williams /Jack Tudor
  • 2018: Elegant Escape - Colin Tizzard / Tom O'Brien
  • 2017: Raz De Maree - Gavin Cromwell / James Bowen
  • 2016: Native River - Colin Tizzard /Richard Johnson
  • 2015: Mountainous - Kerry Lee / Jamie Moore
  • 2014: Emperor's Choice - Venetia Williams / Aidan Coleman
  • 2013: Mountainous - Richard Lee / Paul Moloney
  • 2012: Monbeg Dude - Michael Scudamore / Paul Carberry
  • 2011: The Beau Bai - Richard Lee / Charlie Poste
  • 2010: Synchronised - Jonjo O'Neill / A. P. McCoy
  • 2009: Dream Alliance - Phillip Hobbs / Tom O'Brien
  • 2008: Notre Pier - Jim Dreaper / A. Lynch
  • 2007: Miko De Beauchene - Robert Alner / A. Thornton
  • 2006: Halcon Genelardais - Alan King / W. Hutchinson
  • 2005: L' Aventure - P. F. Nicholls / L. Aspell
  • 2004: Silver Birch - P. F. Nicholls / R. Walsh
  • 2003: Bindaree (IRE) - N A Twiston-Davies / C Llewellyn
  • 2002: Mini Sensation (IRE) - Jonjo O'Neill / A Dobbin
  • 2001: Supreme Glory (IRE) - P G Murphy / L Aspell
  • 2000: Jocks Cross (IRE) - Venetia Williams / B J Crowley (3)
  • 1999: Edmond (FR) - H D Daly / R Johnson
  • 1998: Kendal Cavalier - N J Hawke / B Fenton
  • 1997: Earth Summit - N A Twiston-Davies / T Jenks
  • 1996: Abandoned
  • 1995: Abandoned
  • 1994: Master Oats - K C Bailey / N Williamson

Other winners have included Stearsby; Run and Skip; Righthand Man; and Burrough Hill Lad, according to the Chepstow Racecourse website. 

Bonanza Boy achieved successes in 1988 and 1989, while Carvill's Hill outclassed his rivals in 1991 to become one of the easiest winners in the history of the race.

The Coral Welsh Grand National will be held at Chepstow Racecourse on December 27, 2023.