Of all the three Nationals, the Welsh is the first on the list for punters. It takes place on the 27th December at Chepstow over 3 miles and 6 ½ furlongs. This Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase is the feature of this idiosyncratic left-handed racecourse. With 23 fences it has fewer obstacles than Aintree or Scottish Grand National.
It is open to horses aged four years and older.
Chepstow is the major racecourse in Wales, just one of three tracks including Bangor-on-Dee and the newest of the trio Ffos Las.
Personally, I always remember Native River winning the Welsh Grand National in 2016. He was a classy gelding who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup (2018) and achieved total earnings topping £1M. Trained by Colin Tizzard, he won 10 major races in his career. A very consistent horse racing 28 times, unplaced in just 4.
Inaugurated in 1895. It was originally run at Ely Racecourse in Cardiff. However, the last race took place in 1939.
The race was cancelled over the war years, then one meeting at Newport Racecourse before Chepstow in 1948.
Fighting Line (1949) won the first race at Chepstow, ridden by Dick Francis, who would later become an accomplished author.
The date of the race has changed over time. Originally, it took place on Easter Tuesday. It was move to February in 1969 and then to its present schedule of late December in 1979. It is now posted the day after Boxing Day. It is sponsored by bookmakers Coral which is the longest running since 1973.
The quality of runners improved when re-classified as a Premier Handicap in 2022. In fact, it is an important guide for both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National.
Last year’s (2024) saw Val Dancer win well for trainer Mel Rowley ridden by Charlie Hammond. The 8/1 shot was ridden clear in the closing stages to beat joint favourite Jubilee Express (6/1). With win prize money of £85,425 and total purse of £150,000 there is much competition.
Is this race a good pointer for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National?
Winning the Welsh National is no easy feat and only a handful of runners have prevailed at the pinnacle of racing. However, there have been a number of noted victories.
Jenny pitman had a fine record in this race with high-profile winners including:
1982 – Corbiere
1983 – Burrough Hill Lad
1986 – Steersby
These were halcyon days for Pitman who used the Welsh Nation as a springboard for big winners the following season.
Corbiere went on to win the Aintree Grand National in 1983. A triumph which saw her become the first female winner of the most famous steeplechase in the world.
Burrough Hill Lad went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1984. Once again, the first woman to train the winner of this renowned race.
Other noted winners of the Welsh National include:
Bindaree – Grand National: 2002, Welsh National: 2003
Silver Birch Welsh National: 2004, Grand National: 2007
Synchronised Welsh National: 2010, Gold Cup: 2012
Truly superb horses.
It was a very sad day when Synchronised fractured his leg in the 2012 Grand National and euthanised.
Looking down the list of Welsh National winners it is like stepping back in time and remembering these special horses.
A few favourites include:
1985 – Run And Skip
Martin Pipe was a training phenomenon and he excelled in the Welsh National. From 1988 – 1993 he was almost unstoppable. Only Reg Akehurst could lower his colours with Cool Ground in 1990.
Martin Pipe Welsh National Winner:
1988 – Bonanza Boy
1989 – Bonanza Boy
1991 – Carvill’s Hill
1992 – Run For Free
1993 – Riverside Boy
2017 – Raz De Maree (16/1)
An exceptional performance from one of two veterans of the race winning at 13. He was followed gallantly by Alfie Spinner (33/1) who was also 13 years young.
The Greatest National Horse:
One horse which deserves particular praise is Nigel Twiston-Davies Earth Summit who won all 3 Nationals.
Scottish National 1994
Welsh National 1997
Grand National 1998
A feat that even the mighty Red Rum couldn’t surmount.
In additional, it is notable that Paul Nichols’ L’Aventure was one of few mares to win (2005), ridden by Leighton Aspell. A noble performance beating the opposition by a distance at odds of 14/1.
To be fair, it is a delight to write this article remembering so many greats of racing.