# Welsh Grand National 2026: Racetimes, TV Coverage & Raceday Guide _The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, the marathon handicap chase of the Christmas programme: race date, off time, recent winners, trends and raceday guide._ *Source: [https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/welsh-grand-national/](https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/welsh-grand-national/) ยท last updated 2026-10-09* # Welsh Grand National 2026 The **Welsh Grand National** at Chepstow is the marathon handicap chase of the Christmas programme: a long, hard test of stamina and jumping, usually run on deep winter ground that suits a bold, mud-loving stayer. For **2026** the race is scheduled for **Monday 28 December 2026**. The off time, the going and the declared runners are confirmed in race week, and this page adds the off time and going as they are published. ## At a glance - **Course:** Chepstow, Monmouthshire - **Grade:** Premier Handicap - **Distance:** 3m 6f 118y - **Age:** 4yo+ - **First run:** 1895 Below: the 2026 details, the recent winners with the trends behind them, how to watch, and the day out. The [Chepstow course guide](/uk-racecourses/chepstow/) covers the track, and our [Welsh National course guide](/uk-racecourses/chepstow/welsh-grand-national-guide/) has more of the race's history. ## 2026 race details # 2026 race details | Detail | Value | |---|---| | **Race date** | Monday 28 December 2026 | | **Off time** | TBA | | **Going** | TBA | | **Field size** | TBA | | **Distance** | 3m 6f 118y | | **Grade** | Premier Handicap | Final declarations are made two days before the race, and the off time and going above update once Chepstow publishes them. ### Where the race fits The Welsh National comes in the same Christmas week as the [King George VI Chase](/racing-news/king-george-vi-chase/) at Kempton. Earlier in the season, the [Coral Gold Cup](/uk-racecourses/newbury/ladbrokes-trophy-guide/) at Newbury is the other big staying handicap chase, and our [festivals and big races board](/festivals/) lists every big race coming up, soonest first. On race morning the [AI race predictor](/ai-race-predictor/) publishes its ratings and fair prices for every British race, the Welsh National included. The box below fills in on the day with the model's top-rated runner in the Welsh National and its fair price, then shows how that runner finished. Every earlier box is listed with its result, losers included, and the [track record](/ai-race-predictor/track-record/) covers every race the model prices. ## Recent winners and trends # Recent winners and trends ## The records # The records - **A Gold Cup pointer:** Native River won the Welsh National in 2016 and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2018, both for Colin Tizzard. - **No age limit on stamina:** Raz De Maree won it in 2017 at the age of 13, for Gavin Cromwell. - **Welsh and West Country yards:** Christian Williams, Evan Williams and Rebecca Curtis have all trained recent winners. The race is often hit by the weather. It has been abandoned for frost or waterlogging several times, so check the course's going updates in the days before. ## How to watch and where to bet # How to watch and where to bet The television listing and the off time are confirmed in race week, when the declarations are out. This page shows the off time above as soon as it is published. The Welsh National is a big-field handicap, where the bookmakers' terms make a real difference: - **Each-way places.** Some bookmakers pay extra places on big handicaps. Check how many places are on offer before you back anything each way; our [extra places guide](/bookmakers/each-way-extra-places-explained/) explains how they work. - **Best odds guaranteed.** Prices move as the going becomes clear. A BOG bookmaker pays the starting price if it is bigger than the price you took. See our [best BOG bookmakers](/bookmakers/best-bog-bookmakers/). 18+. Bet only what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, [BeGambleAware](https://www.begambleaware.org/) offers free, confidential help. ## Raceday at Chepstow # Raceday at Chepstow Welsh National day is the biggest day of the year at Chepstow, so book tickets ahead. Expect a cold, wet and muddy afternoon, and dress for it: waterproofs and boots rather than smart shoes. For getting there, the enclosures and food on the day, read our [Welsh National day at Chepstow](/uk-racecourses/chepstow/welsh-national-day-chepstow/) guide and the [day out at Chepstow](/uk-racecourses/chepstow/chepstow-day-out-guide/) guide. Results go on this page within 24 hours of the race, and the full card's results are on our [racing results](/racing-results/) page the same evening. ## Frequently asked questions # Frequently asked questions ### When is the Welsh Grand National 2026? Monday 28 December 2026 at Chepstow. The off time is confirmed in race week and shown in the race details above. ### Why is the Welsh National on 28 December in 2026? The race is traditionally run on 27 December. In 2026 that date is a Sunday, and Chepstow has moved the race to Bank Holiday Monday 28 December as part of the Christmas racing programme. ### What distance is the Welsh Grand National? 3m 6f 118y. It is a Premier Handicap chase for horses aged four and over. ### Who won the Welsh Grand National last year? The recent winners table above lists the winners back to 2014, with their trainer, jockey and starting price. ### Which Welsh National winner went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup? Native River, who won at Chepstow in 2016 and took the Gold Cup in 2018 for Colin Tizzard.