ACROSS-the-card wins in both Grade 2 races on the day was remarkable enough for Gary Moore, but the Caoilin Quinn-ridden Nassalam put the icing on the cake for the delighted trainer when galloping clean away with the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow, notching a big-race double for the jockey as well as a 73/1 treble for the Lower Beeding handler.

Sent off the 9/2 joint-favourite for the betting feature after winning the Coral-sponsored trial at the track earlier in the month, Nassalam had stamina for marathon trips to prove, but in the end he made it look ridiculously easy as he scampered clear of some very tired rivals in the home straight, coming home 34 lengths clear of Iron Bridge (Jonjo O’Neill/Jonjo Jr) with former winner Iwilldoit (Sam Thomas/Dylan Johnston) three-quarters of a length behind that rival after a good battle for the minor honours.

The six-year-old was always in a good position as Amateur set the pace for the first circuit, and at one point that runner was the only identifiable contender from the head-on shot with the jockeys in behind soon caked in mud. Amateur was headed by Nassalam at the 18th fence and weakened tamely as Nassalam pressed on, and the others all began to feel the pinch as the new leader poured it on from the front, with only five in contention in the home straight. It was soon clear that the others were merely battling it out for a share of the place money as Nassalam defied any stamina doubts as he ploughed merrily through the mud, earning 25/1 quotes from the bookmakers for the Randox Grand National in April.

“Last year he never had his ground, and I probably ran him over the wrong trip,” said Moore. “But I think blinkers and soft ground have brought out the improvement in him.

“I was watching it in the parade ring at Kempton and I was just pleased when he got over the last. Watching I thought he was handy enough and he had to go six furlongs further than he did last time, but obviously Caoilin knows more than me.

“He’s a very good rider and his 3lb is very useful. He’s a good lad. The owner has been very loyal to him and let him ride the horse and he’s repaid them for it. He’s still only a young horse and I would like to think there will be a bit more improvement to come.

“I need to speak to the owner and he’s not going to be easy to place now, so we will need to have a chat to decide where we go next. But in the back of my mind, I would like to train him for a National. If it is like when Red Marauder won it then that would be perfect.”

Super Salver secures Finale in fine style

SALVER maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles to win the Grade 2 Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow, his task made easier by the withdrawal of overnight favourite Burdett Road, but impressive enough to suggest that he might well have won in any case.

Successful in lesser company at Warwick and Exeter before stepping up in class for this Grade 2 contest, he assumed favouritism at 5/4, and rarely looked in any danger as he jumped and galloped resolutely through the testing ground for an impressive 21-length win over market rival Balboa (Tony Charlton), having made all the running.

It was the second Grade 2 of the season for claimer Quinn following the victory of Botox Has in the West Yorkshire Hurdle at Wetherby, while Moore won this race with the ill-fated Porticello in 2021.

“I think he is special, a very nice horse,” said Moore about Salver, who is a half-brother to the Willie Mullins-trained Saldier and now a general 16/1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle. “Whether he is best on heavy ground when other horses aren’t, that is the only thing that worries me.

“I couldn’t care less if I run him again this year, he’s a great big horse and what he has done has kind of surprised me, he’s won that well. I think it’s because he goes so well, and his jumping was outstanding – he winged every hurdle. He could be anything, but I won’t spoil him this year because he could be a nice horse for next year.”