Four bets over the festive weekend

I have already put up two horses ante-post for today’s Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow (2.50 p.m.) and with mixed results. Monbeg Genius, tipped each way at 20-1 last month, has been steadily backed ever since and, until this morning, was vying for favouritism. Manofthepeople, tipped each way a week ago at 50-1, has not been declared for the race and so that bet is lost.

If Monbeg Genius jumps well and runs to the best form that he has displayed over the past two seasons, he will win. His close third to Corach Rambler in the March 2023 running of the Ultima Chase has proved to be elite handicap form and Jonjo and A.J. O’Neill’s eight-year-old gelding is only 4 lbs higher in the official ratings than he was for that race at the Cheltenham Festival.

However, Monbeg Genius is not guaranteed to reproduce that form and he has almost doubled in price this morning which is never a good sign.