Key Points
- Today’s betting tip won first time out last year
- This horse is proven over course and distance
- He is racing off his last winning mark today
We had a profitable bet yesterday, with Little Dorrit running into third place at Bath after I advised her at 17/2. She was sent off 11/2, and as expected, she outran her odds. She also relished the step up in trip and the stiff finish at Bath, so all in all she was a good shout.
Today I have a
free racing tip
to mark the start of the three-day Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow. My selection will run in the Welsh Champion Hurdle, and I think he has a fantastic chance at a solid each way price.
From one festival to another, be sure to check out my antepost selection for the
Gold Cup at the 2027 Cheltenham Festival
if you haven’t already done so. At the time of writing, this horse is still available at the 33/1 odds originally quoted, but that price surely won’t last too much longer!
Betting advice
- 15:12 Chepstow -
Gibbs Island
- @ 7/1 (5 places) -
0.75pt each way
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Gibbs Island can strike again at the Welsh Racing Festival
This time last year, Gibbs Island competed at this meeting and he won! I think he can repeat the feat again this year and in the rest of this article, I’ll explain the reasons why.
Gibbs Island won first time out last season
As touched upon already, Gibbs Island came to Chepstow for the Welsh Racing Festival last year straight after his summer break. He competed in the “Four Years Old” Hurdle and won convincingly off the top weight of 10st 12lb.
It’s always impressive to see a horse win first time out, as many need their first run to get back into the swing of things. But to win carrying top weight, giving weight to every rival, only serves to make it even more noteworthy. Now we know he can perform strongly first time out, we need to see him do it again today.
Gibbs Island is proven over today’s course and distance
What makes Gibbs Island’s form even more interesting is that the race last year took place over 2m here at Chepstow. As such, it is the same course and distance as today’s Welsh Champion Hurdle.
Chepstow is a quirky track with the undulations and the downhill run to the finish, which can quite often catch horses out. As a result, being proven at the track is a huge plus, which means Gibbs Island definitely ticks that box.
Gibbs Island is racing off his last winning mark
The final piece of the puzzle from last year’s win is Gibbs Island’s handicap mark. His win here was off a mark of 132 and he was subsequently raised to 140, which was harsh, but speaks volumes about how impressive his victory really was. With five defeats since, his handicap mark has now tumbled to 132, and he is back down to his last winning mark.
To further his case, I think his seventh place in the County Hurdle at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival was very impressive and goes under the radar. He was denied a clear run on multiple occasions, yet still managed to finish with a flourish. He was beaten by less than seven lengths and with a clear run, he would have finished even closer. That run came off a mark of 134, 2lb higher than his mark today, which makes him very competitive.
Can Gibbs Island go 2/2 at the Welsh Racing Festival?
Gibbs Island ticks a lot of boxes in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. He won first time out last season, which brings hope that he can do so again this time. The fact that his win was over today’s C&D is another huge plus. Furthermore, he is back down to his last winning mark, and 2lb lower than his fantastic performance in the County Hurdle, so there is a lot to like!
In terms of negatives, he hasn’t won again since his victory here at Chepstow. The Welsh Champion Hurdle is also a far deeper race than the four-year-old Hurdle race he won here last year. We are also gambling on his fitness level after a break, even though he has performed well in the same circumstances previously.
Following my assessment, I think Gibbs Island is worth a bet in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. I can certainly see him finishing in the first five, in fact I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t. If he turns up here at his best, he is capable of winning this competitive and valuable Handicap, but given the negatives and the depth of the race, I have trimmed the stake down to 0.75pt each way.
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