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- Sam Thomas Insists Jubilee Express Can Deliver At Welsh Grand National
Welsh trainer Sam Thomas believes his leading contender Jubilee Express is in perfect shape to tackle this weekend’s Coral Welsh Grand National.
Trained just north of Cardiff, Jubilee Express heads the market for Saturday’s three-mile-six-furlong marathon after following a route that has become a proven pathway to success.
Like recent winners Secret Reprieve and Nassalam, and Thomas’s own Iwilldoit in 2021, Jubilee Express warmed up for the main event by landing the Welsh Grand National Trial at Chepstow earlier this month.
That victory, combined with his excellent second in the Welsh National 12 months ago, has propelled him to the top of the betting, with odds hovering around 5-1.
“He is a really nice horse horse to train – very straightforward – and we feel he’s in a good place,” says Thomas.
“He’s a laid back character who always seems to be saving a little bit for himself, but we were really happy with him at Chepstow in the trial.
“He’s the perfect horse for these long-distance races because they need to be taking in as much feed as they can. After another run, he’s going to be even fitter than he was three weeks ago.
“There’s some good horses in the race who are carrying far more weight than he is, so hopefully that will be in our favour.”
Still only eight and lightly raced for a staying chaser, Jubilee Express appears to have further improvement in him.
He carries the familiar navy and white colours of Ffos Las founder Dai Walters and has already demonstrated that Chepstow’s unique demands hold no fears.
The one caveat is the weather: like several of his rivals, he would benefit from more rain than currently forecast, though stamina is clearly his strong suit.
Thomas, now 41, knows exactly what it takes to win this race.
His 2021 success with Iwilldoit came after a similar trial victory and underlined his growing reputation as a trainer of elite staying chasers.
As a former jockey, he also brings top-level experience to the table, having famously partnered Denman to Cheltenham Gold Cup glory in 2008.
Last weekend offered further encouragement for the stable when Steel Ally delivered a Grade 2 success in the Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot, confirming the yard is in fine form heading into its biggest day of the season.
However, Jubilee Express will not have things all his own way in what looks a typically competitive renewal.
Welsh interest is further bolstered by Pembrokeshire trainer Rebecca Curtis, who sends last season’s Irish Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs into battle.
His campaign has not been straightforward, but Curtis believes he retains the class to make a serious impact despite carrying a big weight.
"He seems really well at home, we're very happy with him," she said.
"He came back from Haydock quite sore on his sacroiliac joint, which we had medicated the Monday after, it seems to have really helped.
"Obviously it's quite a big ask off top-weight over that trip, but hopefully he might be the class horse in the race and he'll give it a good shot.”
Jamie Snowden’s Git Maker has long been aimed at this contest and remains prominent in the betting, having advertised his liking for Chepstow when winning a maiden hurdle there nearly four years ago.
Sue Smith and Joel Parkinson’s O’Connell arrives after landing the London National, while Joe Tizzard’s Rock My Way brings Berkshire National-winning form into the race.
Another major player is Mr Vango, trained by Sara Bradstock, whose odds range from 11-2 to 8-1.
Beyond the feature race, Welsh racing has enjoyed a strong festive period.
Champion jockey Sean Bowen, along with his brother James and Ben Jones, have all continued their excellent form, underlining the strength in depth among Welsh riders.
Christian Williams, who won this race in 2019 with Potters Corner, does not have a runner this time but enjoyed a valuable Ascot success with Deep Cave, while Tim Vaughan added to local momentum with Love Sonnet at Newbury.
