VENETIA Williams has warmed up for a potential tilt at next Tuesday’s Coral Welsh Grand National with a 5,576-1 shot four-win day.
The King’s Caple-based trainer, who famously guided 100-1 shot Mon Mome to Grand National victory at Aintree in 2009, is hoping Quick Wave or Royale Pigalle can do the business in Chepstow at the Welsh version next week (December 27), pending a final decision on whether they run.
Quick Wave simply waved goodbye to the field to win Sandown’s London National at the start of the month, completing a remarkable four-win day after other victories at Aintree and Chepstow.
The Racing Post reported that the 11-2 nine-year-old mare’s win had shaken up the Coral Welsh National betting, rocketing to the head of the market after a heavily-eased down four-length success.
Williams told the Post: “It’s her first time over this trip but it looked like she would want these trips.
“She won over three and a quarter miles at Ludlow and wasn’t stopping that day, plus I think the tempo of these races is more to her liking. She’s not been the easiest to train, but she’s the age she is now and is stronger so hopefully it’s easier for her now.
“The Welsh Grand National would be a possibility for her, but we’ll see how she is before making a decision closer to the time.”
Meanwhile, stable star Royale Pigalle is another entry in the £150,000 race, following fifth in this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, only inches away from finishing third.
The horse was a revelation last season, with a midwinter hat-trick culminating in a wide-margin win in the Peter Marsh at Haydock.
And back on softer ground at Chepstow, Venetia’s seven-year-old will be very dangerous if staying the distance.
In a lucky omen, on the same day as Quick Wave’s success, Farinet won the Welsh National Trial at Chepstow under Shane Quinlan, who also rode Enzo D’Airy to victory in the Dagem Dash Handicap Chase.
And Brace Seasca also won The Boylesports Daily Money Back 2nd Handicap Steeple Chase at Aintree ridden by Gavin Sheehan.
Venetia posted a picture of herself being interviewied on TV at Sandown wearing a bright red coat and colourful scarf, saying: “Dressing up for Sandown like Santa brought our Christmas early on Saturday.”
It will be the first time in three years that crowds have been allowed to watch the Welsh National, owing to the pandemic.
Iwilldoit’s triumph last time was the third home win for a Welsh horse in three years, after a 54-year wait for one before Potters Corner in 2019 followed by Secret Reprieve last time out.
The 2009 running was the pinnacle of a rags-to-riches story so incredible that it was made into two films.
Villagers in a working men’s club in the Welsh Valleys formed a syndicate to buy a racehorse for £300 and called him Dream Alliance.
And their dreams came true, as he romped to the Welsh National, a feat which was recently turned into hit film Dream Horse.