WILLIAMS’ SECRET JOY
JOCKEY Adam Wedge was hailed a hero by Evan Williams for picking himself back up to ride Welsh National winner Secret Reprieve after two heavy falls.
The rider climbed aboard the 5-2 favourite at Chepstow with his left arm strapped up, having earlier come off both Esprit Du Large and Clyne.
Wales’ feature race was much more straightforward aboard the progressive seven-year-old, as he jumped beautifully from fence to fence.
Wedge took the lead at the third last fence and had to overcome a slipping saddle to get home three lengths in front from The Two Amigos (9-1).
Yala Enki (12-1) took third, just as he did in 2018 and 2019, whilecaptain Drake (28-1) was fourth.
Secret Reprieve was the second Welsh-trained winner in succession, following Potters Corner in 2019.
“Those jockeys, they are all heroes in my eyes but that one belongs to Wedgey because he showed toughness beyond toughness to go out there and ride that horse,” Williams said.
Wedge said: “It means so much for Evan to win it, more than anyone.
“It’s a race that he has always held close to his heart.”
Secret Reprieve is 25-1 with sponsors Coral for the Randox Health Grand National in April.
PAUL NICHOLLS had seven
❒
winners across three cards yesterday, including wins for Mcfabulous, Master Tommytucker and Barbados Buck’s at Kempton, all ridden by Harry Cobden.
Bryony Frost was aboard Storm Arising and Pozo Emery at Chepstow, while at Nicholls’ home course at Wincanton, Daryl Jacob partnered Capeland to success and Harry Skelton steered Flash Collonges home.
BEN CURTIS will ride “more and ❒
more” for Mark Johnston’s recordbreaking Middleham stable this year – news which has put odds for the 2021 jockeys’ title are in freefall.