Coral Welsh National |
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| Handicap Chase, Chepstow 14:40 Grade 3, £150,000 added, 5yo plus, 3m 5f 110y, Class 1  |
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| Tuesday 27th December 2016 | |
1 Native River 11/4F
2 Raz De Maree 33/1
3 Houblon Des Obeaux 33/1
4 Beg To Differ 33/1
20 ran Distances: 1¾l, 15l, 1½l
TIME 7m 49.80s (slow by 18.80s)
Native River defies top weight to win the Welsh National
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Hennessy Gold Cup hero Native River produced a fantastic weight-carrying performance to land the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Following his tremendous victory at Newbury last month, the Colin Tizzard-trained six-year-old was the 11-4 favourite for the marathon contest, despite being burdened with 11st 12lb.
Champion jockey Richard Johnson rode a positive race from the off, initially settling Native River in behind the pacesetting Emperor's Choice before taking over the lead with a full circuit still to race.
The market leader jumped well in the main to keep up the momentum and produced a huge leap four fences from the finish to propel him clear of the field.
Irish raider Raz De Maree came home strongly, but Native River had enough in the tank to hold him at bay by a length and three-quarters, completing a fantastic 24 hours for the Tizzard team following Thistlecrack's scintillating success in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.
Houblon Des Obeaux and Beg To Differ finished third and fourth respectively.
Coral Welsh Grand National (A Handicap Chase) (Grade 3)
£150,000 added, 4yo plus, 3m 5f 110y, Class 1
20 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Soft in places
| Pos | D | Horse SP | Jockey Weight | Trainer | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Native River (IRE) (ex4) 11/4f | R Johnson 11-12 |
C L Tizzard | 6 | |
| 2nd | 1¾ | Raz De Maree (FR) 33/1 | G N Fox (3) 10-10 |
G P Cromwell | 11 |
| 3rd | 15 | Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 33/1 | Charlie Deutsch (3) 11-10 |
Miss V Williams | 9 |
| 4th | 1½ | Beg To Differ (IRE) 33/1 | Killian Moore (3) 10-13 |
Jonjo O'Neill | 6 |
| 5th | 5 | Baie Des Iles (FR) 25/1 | Ms K Walsh 11-0 |
Ross O'Sullivan | 5 |
| 6th | 3¼ | Vicente (FR) 12/1 | Sam Twiston-Davies 11-8 |
P F Nicholls | 7 |
| 7th | 5 | Theatre Guide (IRE) (ex4) 16/1 | P J Brennan 11-10 |
C L Tizzard | 9 |
| 8th | 8 | Firebird Flyer (IRE) 10/1 | Adam Wedge 10-12 |
Evan Williams | 9 |
| 9th | 5 | Carole's Destrier 6/1 | L P Aspell 11-5 |
N P Mulholland | 8 |
| 10th | 1¾ | Bishops Road (IRE) 16/1 | Paul Moloney 11-11 |
Kerry Lee | 8 |
| 11th | ¾ | Royale Knight 33/1 | Brendan Powell 10-11 |
Dr R D P Newland | 10 |
| 12th | 1¾ | Unioniste (FR) 12/1 | Nick Scholfield 11-2 |
P F Nicholls | 8 |
| PU | Viconte Du Noyer (FR) 20/1 | Harry Cobden (3) 11-11 |
C L Tizzard | 7 | |
| PU | Harry Topper 40/1 | D Bass 11-7 |
K C Bailey | 9 | |
| PU | Katkeau (FR) 33/1 | T Scudamore 11-6 |
D Pipe | 9 | |
| PU | Onenightinvienna (IRE) 13/2 | T J O'Brien 11-3 |
P J Hobbs | 7 | |
| PU | Milansbar (IRE) 16/1 | M D Grant 11-2 |
N B King | 9 | |
| PU | Mountainous (IRE) 25/1 | G Sheehan 10-13 |
Kerry Lee | 11 | |
| PU | Goulanes (IRE) 33/1 | Wayne Hutchinson 10-10 |
N P Mulholland | 10 | |
| PU | Emperor's Choice (IRE) 33/1 | Jamie Bargary (3) 10-10 |
Miss V Williams | 9 |
