3 minute read

Mel Rowley enjoyed her biggest success to date when Val Dancer made his way through the fog to land the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

The Mel Rowley-trained contender, who was sent off a well-backed 8/1 shot having been as big as 33/1 the night before, was always positioned towards the fore as jockey Charlie Hammond seemed keen to keep tabs on the front-running Amateur as the field set out over the marathon three-mile six-and-a-half-furlong trip.

Visibility was severely impeded, but as the principals came into view on the approach to the fifth fence from home, Val Dancer emerged in front with Iwilldoit close up behind.

Sam Thomas' 2021 winner engaged in battle with Val Dancer as the pair approached the fourth last and the duo looked to have it between them. Iwilldoit looked to be getting the upper hand, but his effort quickly faltered up the straight and once again Val Dancer claimed the advantage.

However, it wasn't over yet as Iwilldoit's stablemate Jubilee Express, who was sent off the 6/1 joint-favourite, emerged from the gloom with a late rattle to ensure Val Dancer would have to continue to find for pressure to score by a length and a half.

An emotional Mel Rowley, who was arguably training her biggest winner to date and enjoying a first success at Chepstow, told Sky Sports Racing: "I can't put it into words and for our little yard in Shropshire, days like this we watch on the telly, we're not part of it. It's unbelievable, I don't know whether to laugh or cry to be honest.

"We were watching on the rail, but it was a bit like joining the dots as you couldn't see very much. When we saw him come out of the gloom and he was still there and in contention I thought 'oh my god'. He's not run over this distance before, but we were fairly confident he would keep going.

"Charlie Deutsch rode him the last day, but had to be elsewhere today, so the other Charlie took up the reins and they had a long chat. Charlie Deutsch told Charlie Hammond what to do and he did it to perfection, it was fantastic."

It was also the biggest career victory to date for jockey Charlie Hammond, who expressed his delight just 24 hours after being denied a breakthrough Grade 1 success in the Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree on Boxing Day.

"This means a lot," said the winning rider. "I thought we were beat two out, but he knew where the winning line was. I'd have been fuming to be on the wrong side of a photo.

"I ride plenty of nice horses, but I don't get loads of chances in these big handicaps. This is definitely the highlight and by a long way. We almost had a Grade 1 on Boxing Day, so this makes up for it, just about!"