IT was a wet day at Chepstow Racecourse on Saturday 9th January as Mountainous (9/1) won the 1.45pm Coral Welsh Grand National underneath jockey Jamie Moore.

The going was heavy, with rain soaking horses, spectators, and track alike, as 20 runners battled for over three and a half miles over 22 jumps. 11-year-old Mountainous, trained by Kerry Lee, went ahead with three jumps to go and held a solid lead to the finish, with only a riderless horse anywhere near. Firebird Flyer (25/1) and Shotgun Paddy (12/1) were second and third, respectively, after a hard ride.

Although the best possible ground was ensured by the work of the ground-staff, conditions meant that only six of the 20 runners completed the course, with 10 riders pulling up because of tiring horses, and four riders falling. Emperor’s Choice, last year’s winner, pulled up before the 13th jump.

The event had been rescheduled from the 27th December because of a waterlogged track. Although it rained throughout the day on Saturday, the mood wasn’t dampened as spectators witnessed a famous race. The victory meant a double win for Mountainous, after also winning the 2013 Welsh Grand National. Bonanza Boy is the only other horse to win the Welsh Grand National twice, running double winners in 1988 and 1989. This was also trainer Kerry Lee’s first season as a licensed trainer, with this undoubtably being her greatest success so far.

Speaking to the Beacon from her Herefordshire yard, Kerry Lee said:

“A win like this means a huge deal, it’s absolute magic. Winning this really helps to put us on the map, and establish my name as a trainer.

“For us, it was perfect conditions, we wanted soft ground and heavy going, we’d prepared for that. Because of the time of year, if you don’t want conditions like that then you don’t go to Chepstow. Next for Mountainous, we’re aiming for the Grand National at Aintree Racecourse, and potentially the Irish Grand National.”

Other races on the card did not disappoint. The opening race at 12.35pm, the Novice’s Hurdle over two miles four furlongs, was a race to the very last. Never Equalled (4/1), trained locally by B J Llewellyn, was six lengths clear at the start of the final straight, but was beaten by the supreme finishing efforts of Millanisi Boy (9/4), ridden by T J O’Brien and trained by R Woollacott. Millanisi Boy edged the lead on the last hurdle, with Never Equalled and Ballybane (9/1) coming second and third respectively.

The three mile hurdle at 1.10pm was won by Awaywiththegreys (10/1) for the third year in a row, trained by P Bowen and ridden by his son Sean Bowen.

The rain fell hard as Awaywiththegreys was three lengths clear on the flat, but saw off a spirited final rush by Moorlands Mist (11/2), who came within half a head at the finishing line. Third was Filatore (66/1), who pressed the leader but didn’t have the extra pace on the flat.

The rain eased off for the 2.20pm £50,000 Finale Juvenile Hurdle, won by Adrien Du Pont (11/8), trained by P F Nicholls and ridden by Nick Scholfield, who took the lead at the last hurdle, after Chic Lane (22/1) had a six length lead at the back straight. Chic Lane and Coo Star Sivola (3/1) were second and third respectively.

The rain began again for the 2.55pm three mile Handicap Chase for Novices, which was won by Racing Pulse (6/1) below J J Burke, with trainer Miss R Curtis.

Standing water meant three obstacles on the circuit were omitted, and all riders placed were still in it between the last two hurdles. Subtle Grey (9/3) and Jennys Surprise (15/2) were second and third respectively.

In the 3.25pm two mile four furlong Handicap Chase, Otago Trail (6/5), ridden by Aiden Coleman and trained by Miss V Williams drew well clear by the finish. 36 lengths behind, Saint Raph and Fourth Act were second and third respectively.

The final bumper race at 4.00pm was in near darkness because of the conditions, with only two of the eight runners still in contention entering the straight.

The pair battled throughout the straight, but it was Ballymalin (11/2), ridden by Ryan Hatch and trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies that won the race by two lengths. Druid’s Folly (7/4) fought hard for the win but placed at second, with Matchaway (11/4) coming third.