Potters Corner is Welsh National hero as Williams lands big prize
Potters Corner recorded a famous success in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow for Glamorgan trainer Christian Williams.
Ridden by 7lb claimer Jack Tudor, the nine-year-old – part-owned by Wales rugby union star Jonathan Davies – relished the stamina-sapping three and three-quarter miles to register a fourth course triumph, as well as add to his victory in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter in March.
Yala Enki and Two Amigos were always to the fore, but Potters Corner was on their heels throughout, while last year’s winner Elegant Escape crept into the race on the final circuit.
Potters Corner (8-1) nosed into the lead three fences from home and kept on resolutely to land the coveted spoils by a length and three-quarters from Truckers Lodge, whose Paul Nicholls-trained stablemate Yala Enki was a length away in third.
Prime Venture was fourth, with Two Amigos fifth and
Elegant Escape sixth.
Williamstoldskysportsracing: “I won’t be very popular at home, as the wife was nagging me for her to come and I said it would be a tough race, come to Newbury tomorrow. She’ll be watching at home with the children as well. It’s great.
“Jack gave him the ride I thoughthewould.iknewwhat Jack was capable of 12 months ago, so it’s no surprise to me the ride he gave the horse. He’d have ridden him all year, but he was injured when he ran at Aintree and Haydock and was back to win on him here the last day.
“You know what ground you’re going to get at Chepstow. He relishes the soft conditions, so it was brilliant. We’ve got a good horse advertising us now on the big days.”
Tudor, 17, said: “When you’re Welsh, to win a Welsh National is one of the things you look forward to when you’re a kid and when it comes true it’s brilliant. He was proven over the trip and the ground. I knew he would gallop to the line, which helps.
“Pretty much all my family is here. It’s brilliant.”