Mr Vango Can Thrill With Welsh Grand National Win at Chepstow
Mr Vango is a nine-year-old front-running chaser trained by Sara Bradstock at Old Manor Stables in Wantage, Oxfordshire. He is the second-favourite for Saturday's Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and is regarded as a strong home-grown contender.
Bradstock, in her first season training Mr Vango, has guided him to three wins including the London National at Sandown, the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock, and the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter. The victory at Uttoxeter pushed his rating beyond the Nationals' cut-off. After finishing second at Aintree, his rating rose to 155, but he will race the Welsh National off a rating of 152.
Mr Vango was foaled in 2016 and was initially sold for €7,000 before Bradstock purchased him for £30,000. He did not begin racing until the age of six as he was developing as a store horse.
Old Manor Stables holds a historic legacy, having been home to notable winners such as Golden Miller, Carruthers, and Coneygree. Following the death of Mark Bradstock in 2024, Sara Bradstock became the sole license-holder, continuing the stable's heritage.
The Welsh National is considered a potential peak event for Mr Vango this season. Other major races such as the King George VI Chase and Leopardstown's Savills Chase provide context for the season but are not the primary focus.
