Coral Welsh Grand National

THE Two Amigos (Nicky Martin/David Prichard) almost all of the running in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow to make amends for two previous defeats in the race. The 10-year-old was fifth in 2019 and runner-up to Secret Reprieve in 2020.

As is often the case in this contest, a good early position proved important, with eventual third The Big Dog (Peter Fahey/Aidan Coleman) disputing the early lead before 16/1 shot The Two Amigos went on as the field raced away from the stands on the first circuit.

The Big Dog led again briefly early in the home straight, but plenty seemed to struggle in the conditions after morning rain, and only The Big Breakaway (Joe Tizzard/Brendan Powell) was able to come between that pair at any point of the race, keeping on well to grab second in a race run in honour of Kim Gingell, Tizzard’s sister.

The distances were a length and a quarter and five lengths, with only four further finishers in a field of 17.

This was the winning rider’s biggest win by some way, and it was fitting that Prichard should gain such a milestone win in the Welsh Grand National, being born and bred in Pontypridd, although now based with Martin in Devon.

The Venetia Williams-trained 4/1 favourite Quick Wave was pulled up five out with the vet reported mare lost her right-fore shoe. The Irish-trained runner Regina Dracones was a faller.

Comfort Zone win boosts Lossiemouth

THE Grade 2 Finale Juvenile Hurdle went for export as Joseph O’Brien’s Comfort Zone was made to work hard on the soft going to justify odds-on favouritism in the Coral Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow under Jonjo O’Neill Jr.

The 10/11 favourite was third to Triumph Hurdle favourite Lossiemouth in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on his previous start, and he travelled well through this contest until being asked to tackle the pace-setting Fils De Roi at the penultimate flight.

Comfort Zone looked sure to win well when leading on landing at the second last, but the Churchill gelding ran around a bit in front and was challenged by Dixon Cove (Paul Nicholls/Harry Cobden) after landing awkwardly at the last.

In fairness to the winner, he rallied well when meeting that challenge and prevailed by a hard-fought neck at the line, with Perseus Way (Gary/Jamie Moore) two lengths away in third.

Round-Up

Crawford springs

a Kelso surprise

STUART Crawford has enjoyed plenty of success this season when taking the boat from Larne to the UK mainland, and he saddled 33/1 winner Maimie’s Magic in the mares’ handicap hurdle at Kelso on Thursday to give the stable its ninth winner in Britain this season.

Sean Quinlan was seen to good effect as he nursed the winner home by a short-head.

Wetherby’s Christmas meeting has lost a little of its cachet with the Castleford Chase downgraded, but the latest renewal of the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase was competitive, won by the progressive Into Overdrive (Mark Walford/Jamie Hamilton), who kicked clear early in the straight and then rallied gamely to hold the strong late challenge of runner-up Sounds Russian by half a length.

The win paid a compliment to L’Homme Presse, who had beaten the winner in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle previously. Dan Skelton’s 5/2 favourite Shan Blue was pulled up before the 11th fence, while the Nicky Henderson-trained Chantry suffered vertebrae damage in a fall at the third last.

Dan Skelton suffered a few reverses over the Christmas spell but did have doubles at Catterick and Leicester on Wednesday.

Zambella on

the mark again

THE consistent Zambella added another win her CV in the Listed bet365 Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase at Doncaster on Thursday.

With Daryl Jacob in the saddle, the daughter of Zambezi Son came home seven and a half lengths ahead of Annie Mc for the Nigel Twiston-Davies/Simon Munir & Isaac Souede combination. Another bid for the Cheltenham Mares’ Chase is on the agenda.