It was a huge week for Welsh racing at Chepstow and there was a legend making a surprise appearance in the biggest race over the festive period. The Racing Post’s James Stevens on the week’s events.
Two Welsh-trained horses went within touching distance of a fairytale success in the Welsh Grand National last week but Val Dancer proved too good to land the country’s biggest race.
Iwilldoit won the Welsh National in 2021 and looked the most likely winner when emerging through the fog in the Chepstow home straight on Tuesday for Glamorgan-based Sam Thomas.
The 12-year-old was still ahead under Callum Pritchard, the rising star of the jockey ranks, in the closing stages before tiring in one of jump racing’s notoriously tiring contests. Meanwhile his stablemate, owned by Ffos Las founder Dai Walters, finished powerfully although leaving it too late to beat the Shropshire-trained winner.
Home winners of the Welsh National were extremely rare before Potters Corner ended a 54-year wait in 2019. Only two years later Iwilldoit also won for the hosts.
Thomas reflecting on the second or third said: “We didn’t see a lot but Iwilldoit has run another cracker and just loves the game.
“Callum said if the ground had been softer it would’ve helped him. Jubilee Express is tailor-made for these races and hopefully he’ll compete in them for the rest of the season. I’m over the moon.”
Jones is tuned in
One Welshman was celebrating more than most on Boxing Day though as Ben Jones secured a first Grade 1 winner aboard The Jukebox Man in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton.
The exciting six-year-old has been flagged in the column a few times as a potential high-class talent and he delivered on that promise under a fine patient ride from Jones to win comfortably.
Trained in Cheltenham by Ben Pauling, The Jukebox Man could now be a live contender at the Festival for Jones and he is 5-1 with DragonBet after his brilliant victory.
He also enjoyed a double at Kempton on Tuesday and success on Henry’s Friend in the historic Mandarin at Newbury.
Surprise appearance of football icon
It was Ireland who won the King George but a Welsh legend was surprisingly among those cheering him home.
The race was won in emphatic fashion by Banbridge, trained by Joseph O’Brien and owned by Ronnie Bartlett. His daughter Haley was at Kempton along with her husband Hal Robson-Kanu.
The man made famous for sending Belgium defenders spinning with his legendary Cruyff turn goal at Euro 2016 was among the winners’ enclosure after the race.
Banbridge could also be a Cheltenham winner later this season as DragonBet go 5-1 for the Ryanair Chase, which looks to be his likely target.
All eyes on Cheltenham
New Year’s Day at Cheltenham is one of the highlights of the calendar and 2025 could kick off in style for Wales’ top jockeys and trainers.
The big 2m4½ handicap chase is worth £100,000 and top jockey Sean Bowen will look to strike with Lisnamult Lad, a winner at the track earlier in the season.
Bowen also rides Thunder Rock in the Relkeel Hurdle where his main opposition will be Golden Ace, the most exciting ride for Lorcan Williams. She and Williams were brilliant winners at the Cheltenham Festival last season.
Elsewhere, Our Power will look to topple Broadway Boy for Sam Thomas in the 3m1½f handicap chase.
