Coral Welsh National
Handicap Chase, Chepstow 14:50
£150,000 guaranteed,
5yo plus,
3m 6f 130y, Class 1 
Friday 27th December 2024

BetGoodwin

1 Val Dancer 8/1
2 Jubilee Express 6/1J
3 Iwilldoit 10/1
15 ran NR: Stuzzikini Distances: 1½l, 1½l, 10l
Time: 8m 16.34s (slow by 19.34s)

Trained by Mel Rowley, Val Dancer, ridden by Charlie Hammond, clinched the victory with a strong finish.

The race was marked by heavy fog, which made visibility difficult for both spectators and jockeys.

Despite these conditions, Val Dancer managed to stay in contention throughout the race. The seven-year-old horse was among the frontrunners, keeping pace with early leader Amateur and later engaging in a fierce battle with Iwilldoit, the 2021 winner. As the race progressed, Jubilee Express, another strong contender, joined the leading pair.

In the final stretch, Val Dancer showed remarkable stamina and determination, ultimately crossing the finish line a length and a half ahead of Jubilee Express.

Iwilldoit finished third, followed by Monbeg Genius in fourth place.

Mel Rowley expressed her elation, describing the win as a dream come true for her small yard in Shropshire.

Charlie Hammond praised Val Dancer's performance and credited the guidance he received from Charlie Deutsch, who had previously ridden the horse.

Sam Thomas, trainer of Iwilldoit and Jubilee Express, was proud of his horses' efforts despite narrowly missing out on the win.

He acknowledged Val Dancer's strong performance and expressed his intention to return to Chepstow for future races.

The victory not only marked a significant milestone for Mel Rowley but also highlighted Val Dancer's resilience and potential for future success in staying handicap events.

Boylesports

Coral Welsh Grand National
(A Handicap Chase) (Grade 3)
£150,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 3m 6f 130y, Class 1
15 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1    Val Dancer 7 10-4 Mel Rowley Charlie Hammond 8/1
2 1½ Jubilee Express 7 10-4 Sam Thomas Dylan Johnston 6/1J
3 1½ Iwilldoit 11 11-11 Sam Thomas Callum Pritchard 10/1
4 10 Monbeg Genius 8 11-8 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Nick Scholfield 10/1
5 3¾  Galia Des Liteaux 8 11-6 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 8/1
6 1¾ Your Own Story 8 10-6 Lucinda Russell Derek Fox 20/1
7 nk Evies Vladimir 7 10-1 Gavin Cromwell Conor Stone-Walsh 10/1
8 9 Atlanta Brave 6 10-1 Kerry Lee Jack Tudor 15/2
9 ¾ Classic Concorde 11 9-10 David Brace Connor Brace 50/1
PU Amateur 11 10-3 John & Rhys Flint Jack Tudor 125/1
PU The Newest One 9 10-5 Nigel Twiston-Davies Sam Twiston-Davies 12/1
PU No Hubs No Hoobs 8 10-2 Joe Tizzard Brendan Powell 14/1
PU Fontaine Collonges 9 11-12 Venetia Williams Ned Fox 11/1
PU Where It All Began 8 10-12 Gordon Elliott Sean Bowen 10/1
PU Iron Bridge 8 11-0 Jonjo & A J O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr. 6/1J
NR 5 Stuzzikini 6 11-4 Gordon Elliott NON RUNNER