Teenage kicks for Bowen and Cromwell as Raz De Maree wins Welsh National
RAZ DE MAREE proved age is just a number as he teamed up with James Bowen to win the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.
Runner-up in 2016, the 13-yearold Raz De Maree (16-1) was one of the oldest horses in the race, but he stayed on stoutly for the youngest rider in the contest to land the Grade Three prize for Irish trainer Gavin Cromwell.
Sixteen-year-old Bowen has been making great strides in his first full season as a conditional and he pushed on from the last to deny Kerry Lee’s Alfie Spinner, another 13-year-old, by six lengths.
‘He gave him a peach of a ride,’ said Cromwell. ‘He was flat to the boards down the back, but he didn’t panic and he stayed on. This is fantastic, just brilliant.
‘He’s the oldest horse since the war apparently and only the second Irish winner, it’s fantastic. He’s such a pleasure to have, it’s fantastic. He’s only a small horse but has such heart.’
Bowen added: ‘He’s only a few years younger than me! We didn’t travel anywhere at all and I thought we’d do well to get round and pick up a place.
‘Once he passed a few horses, he then picked up the bit and we ended up getting there too soon. It’s amazing to win. You grow up watching these races at home and to win it in my first (full) season riding is amazing.’
Nicky Henderson is now responsible for two of the first three in the betting for the Triumph Hurdle in March after We Have A Dream won the Coral Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle.
Not entered in the original race due to be run on December 27, which was abandoned due to waterlogging, connections took advantage of its rescheduling and picked up a Grade One in the process.
Daryl Jacob had to get pretty serious after the last on the 8-11 favourite to beat Sussex Ranger by a length and a half.
Jacob told ITV Racing: ‘The ground is hard work, it’s dead and we didn’t go quick. He likes a nice, even gallop, he jumps better when they go a stride
quicker but we wanted to teach him something today, winning at the same time. He’s got to learn his trade and what happened today was perfect.
‘He’s won nicely enough in the end - we’re all very happy with that.’
Stablemate Apple’s Shakira and Cromwell’s Espoir D’Allen also feature at the head of the betting for the Triumph. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Good Boy Bobby (11-10 favourite) impressed in the closing bumper as he ran out a nine-length winner.
Sam Twiston-Davies was on board and told At The Races: ‘We think he’s potentially very good. Personally I think we’ll have a job on to keep Nige away from the Festivals, but I think he’s some prospect for hurdles next season.
‘He’s got a massive engine, when I pulled him out he just took off. With the way he is a bit buzzy, Cheltenham might be a bit soon, but you know what Nige is like!’
The opening Coral Download The App Maiden Hurdle went to Jo Hughes’ 33-1 shot Diablo De Rouhet under Mark Grant. ‘It’s all been about getting his confidence. It was a lovely run at Towcester (last time) and jumping has made a man of him,’ said Hughes.
‘I’ve always liked this horse since he joined us, but he’s disappointed on the track. He jumped brilliantly and the further he goes, the better he’ll be.’
Venetia Williams won the Coral Bet And Get Club Handicap Chase for the fifth time in six years with Pressurize (4-1).
‘I didn’t quite realise the record, despite winning last year with Aso,’ explained Williams. ‘I’m so thrilled, he’s partly mine and partly my cousin James’. He’s been a late-comer, but he’s been absolutely fantastic. Last season didn’t really happen, but he’s come back.
‘All credit to his lass, Lucy Turner, she could have ridden elsewhere today but came here to lead him up.’