Sam Thomas Triumph Keeps Welsh Grand National Title In Wales . . . But He Admits It Was Bitter-Sweet Without Fans

By Paul Jones

Sam Thomas has admitted keeping the Coral Welsh Grand National title in Wales left him speechless with emotion.

The Welsh trainer enjoyed a landmark win at Chepstow on Monday as his horse, I willdoit, came home first to ensure a Welsh-trained horse has won the showpiece race for three successive years.

The victory is Thomas’s biggest career success as a trainer, his first graded victory, and the Vale of Glamorgan-based handler follows Christian Williams (Potters Corner, 2019) and Evan Williams (Secret Reprieve, 2020) as Welsh winners of the race.

Thomas told Sky Sports Racing: “I’m lost for words and feeling a bit emotional. It’s what dreams are made of.

“I didn’t for a minute dare to think that we’d go and win today, I really didn’t. I know we had a good chance but it hasn’t really sunk in.

“I was pacing up and down like a mad man. I’ll be able to enjoy it a bit more later on.

“It is tremendous to keep it in Wales. I am a proud Welshman and it hasn’t sunk in. It is what dreams are made of.

“Having good horses and big targets keeps your eye on the ball a lot more but I’m loving every second of it and it gets me out of bed in the morning.”

 

Iwilldoit does just that!!

The third year in a row the @Coral Welsh Grand National has had a #Welsh winner 🙌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏇🏻 @StanSheppard9 @SammyTRacing #CoralWGN pic.twitter.com/kbB9qQyYGk

— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) December 27, 2021

Returning after a hugely impressive victory in the Welsh National Trial at the same track earlier this month, Iwilldoit travelled well through from the back of the 20-runner field as a number of big guns, including 2018 Gold Cup winner Native River, struggled to get home over the three-mile-and-six-furlong trip.

Jockey Stan Sheppard, riding the 13/2 shot for just the second time, delivered his mount to challenge Paul Nicholls’ London National winner Highland Hunter, who had shot to the lead two fences from the end.

Nicholls pair Highland Hunter and Truckers Lodge finished second and third, respectively, with Achille fourth and last year’s winner Secret Reprieve last of the five to finish.

“When he hit the front down the back and got into his rhythm, I thought all he had to do was stay on his feet really and he’d keep running is race,” added Thomas.

“Stan gave him a lovely ride – it is a lot of pressure for a young jockey, but I’m delighted for him.

“He loved those conditions and bottom weight in those sort of races obviously helps in soft ground. Hopefully, I will be able to enjoy it a little more later.”

In line with new Welsh Government Covid restrictions, the meeting – normally the biggest race event in the Welsh calendar – took place in front of empty grandstands.

“It is very bizarre being stood here in an empty stand with no crowd, it just doesn’t feel right,” added Thomas.

 

A very happy @StanSheppard9 #CoralWGN 🙌🏆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 pic.twitter.com/QIHAmK6ikY

— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) December 27, 2021

“I have enjoyed every minute of that race, but my family should be here, the rest of the owners should be here, and it is a very sad day for racing.

“It just doesn’t feel right – 40 minutes away in Bristol there is a full stadium of people watching rugby. It is crazy.”

Thomas, who scaled the heights as a jockey when he won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2008 on the mighty Denman, can now rightly celebrate his biggest accomplishment as a trainer.

“I don’t mind being associated with him, but I need to make my own tracks now,” he said. “I’m lucky I was associated with him, but hopefully now I get recognised as a trainer instead.”

“I’ve been over in those woods as a seven- or eight-year-old hunting, looking across here thinking I wanted to be here one day as a jockey and I’d be running underneath that archway as a kid watching the horses canter to the start for the Welsh National.

“It kind of feels like home, so it’s very special. It’s a day I’ll savour for a long time and it means a lot.”

Porticello proved far too good for his rivals in a dramatic renewal of the Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow.

 

This year’s @Coral Welsh National winners – trainer, breeder and stable lass – oh, and of course the star of the show, Iwilldoit #CoralWGN @SammyTRacing pic.twitter.com/62f3BXc3Q6

— Chepstow Racecourse (@Chepstow_Racing) December 27, 2021

Arriving as the highest-rated horse in the race, Gary Moore’s three-year-old stayed clear of congestion down the back as favourite Forever Blessed got into trouble.

The Harry Fry-trained horse initially survived a major stumble after bumping into front-runner Skycutter, leaving Sean Bowen unbalanced but unscathed before later pulling up his mount.

Strong-travelling Porticello was delivered through the middle by rider Jamie Moore and went well clear of the field to run out an eight-and-a-half length winner.

It is a first Grade One success over hurdles for trainer Moore.

Jockey Moore, son of trainer Gary, told Sky Sports Racing: “Poor old Sean [Bowen] got wiped out down the back straight but I got a nice position and had a smooth run round.

“When he hit the front he was having a look around. I think he was probably looking for another hurdle.

“I think he’s going to be better when he’s five years old. He’s a chaser.

“A lot of credit to this horse and Dad because I wasn’t mad keen on riding him today. He’s a lovely big horse and I thought we could mind him a bit this year.

“We’ve won a Grade One now so we’ll all enjoy that.”