2025 Welsh Grand National Results & What’s Next for Top Contenders
The Welsh Grand National remains one of the most iconic and challenging events on the UK racing calendar. Held each year at Chepstow Racecourse, this revered steeplechase draws the finest stayers and up-and-coming stars hoping to etch their names into sporting folklore. The 2025 edition delivered on all fronts—thrilling finishes, bold rides, and a glimpse at the future of long-distance chasers. Here’s a full rundown of the 2025 Welsh Grand National results and a look at what’s next for the top contenders from this historic event.
2025 Welsh Grand National: Race Overview
The Setting and Conditions
The Welsh Grand National, run over a grueling 3 miles and 6½ furlongs with 23 fences to be jumped, is famously tough. The 2025 race was contested under soft, holding ground—a classic Chepstow winter test where stamina and jumping were at a premium. A strong field lined up, boasting a mix of seasoned campaigners and progressive young chasers.
Notable Pre-Race Storylines
- Could a rising star upset the experienced campaigners?
- Would past form at Chepstow prove decisive?
- Punters eagerly watched former winners and in-form horses, wondering who would stake a claim.
- The race also doubled as a potential Grand National trial for Aintree, adding another layer of intrigue.
2025 Welsh Grand National: Full Results
1st Place: Mountain Monarch (Jockey: Sean Bowen, Trainer: Emma Lavelle)
Mountain Monarch burst onto the staying chase scene in style this winter and cemented his reputation with a storming win at Chepstow. Sent off as a 7/1 shot, he traveled strongly throughout and produced a flawless round of jumping. Surging ahead after the final fence, he found plenty in reserve on the run-in.
- Key Stats: Finished in 7:40.50 (soft ground), 3 lengths ahead of the runner-up
- Winning Tactics: Tracked leaders, made smooth headway, stayed on powerfully late
- Quote: “He’s such a gutsy horse and deserves every bit of this win.” — Sean Bowen
2nd Place: Ironclad Legend (Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies, Trainer: Venetia Williams)
Ironclad Legend ran a cracker for connections. Having been backed from 12/1 to 15/2 leading up to the race, the 8-year-old gelding was never far from the action and put in a relentless challenge after the last, only finding Mountain Monarch too strong in the closing stages.
- Tactics: Tracked pace, produced at the last fence, tried hard to close but just outstayed
3rd Place: Harvest Gold (Jockey: Brian Hughes, Trainer: Lucinda Russell)
Harvest Gold proved himself at marathon distances with a gallant third-placed finish. The Scottish raider jumped fluently and stayed on gamely in the final furlongs, rewarding each-way backers with a solid performance despite lacking the finishing kick of the first two.
- Tactics: Always prominent, kept on strongly but couldn’t match front pair’s pace
Other Notables:
- 4th: Old Bailey (veteran stayer with a solid performance)
- 5th: Canal Commander (eyecatcher for future handicaps)
- A handful of fancied runners failed to finish, highlighting the tough conditions and high attrition rate typical of Chepstow in winter.
For the full finishing order, check the official Racing Post results page.
What’s Next: Prospects for the Top Contenders
Mountain Monarch: A New Star of Staying Chases?
With stamina, jumping prowess, and a big-race temperament, Mountain Monarch’s connections will be plotting an ambitious spring campaign. The Aintree Grand National is now firmly in the frame as a logical next step. Given this bold Chepstow display, ante-post markets for the Aintree Grand National have reacted; expect his odds to shorten as he’s aimed at the great race.
Possible targets:
- Aintree Grand National (main objective)
- Haydock Grand National Trial
- Spring marathon handicaps
- Even a tilt at the Scottish Grand National
Ironclad Legend: One More Crack at Glory
Venetia Williams’s charge continues to prove consistent at the top level. Expect connections to seek out another big handicap or Grade 3 contest. Soft ground and long distances are clearly to his liking, making races like the Midlands Grand National or a return to Chepstow possible.
What to watch:
- Tends to thrive in testing ground
- Strong each-way prospect in staying handicaps
- Watch for spring festival entries
Harvest Gold: Improving with Every Run
Lucinda Russell has a strong track record with staying chasers, and Harvest Gold fits the mold. Improvement is likely with age, and a Scottish Grand National bid at Ayr would be an ideal target, especially with a bit more cut in the ground.
Next steps:
- Ayr Scottish Grand National
- Potential for summer campaign over extended distances
Other Contenders to Note
- Old Bailey: Remains a solid handicapping prospect and fan favorite for long-distance events
- Canal Commander: Lightly raced, unexposed—could go off a good mark and score in coming months.
Trends, Insights, and Takeaways from the 2025 Welsh Grand National
Key Trends From This Year’s Edition
- Stamina and Soft Ground: As is often the case at Chepstow in winter, proven stamina and handling of soft ground were decisive.
- Jumping Errors Costly: Several fancied runners blundered and unseated—emphasizing the value of prior Chepstow experience.
- Progressive Chasers on the Rise: Younger horses with fewer miles on the clock filled key finishing positions, suggesting a new wave of staying stars.
What It Means for Grand National Season
The Welsh Grand National regularly acts as a springboard to Aintree, and this year should be no exception. Horses that finish well at Chepstow often feature prominently in the Grand National betting lists.
- Expect Mountain Monarch and Ironclad Legend to attract major interest for Aintree.
- Watch for Scottish-trained runners to return at Ayr and for in-form handicappers to make their mark in trial races.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Welsh Grand National Heroes
The 2025 Welsh Grand National delivered everything racing fans crave: fierce competition, new stars, and storylines that will echo through the spring marathon chases. Mountain Monarch’s dominant win puts him front and center for the season’s remaining feature handicaps — but as always, the long-distance scene remains wide open, with Ironclad Legend and Harvest Gold ready to chase further glory.
For the die-hard enthusiast and casual fan alike, the aftermath of the Welsh National is when true racing stories really begin. Will these heroes conquer Aintree or Ayr next? As the marathon chase season heats up, keep a close watch — because in racing, fortunes can shift as quickly as the Chepstow weather.