Mel Rowley trained Val Dancer has won the 2024 Welsh Grand National.
Val Dancer held off the challenge of Sam Thomas pair Jubilee Express – who was closing the gap with every stride – and Iwilldoit.
Val Dancer and Iwilldoit were neck-and-neck going into the home straight, with the rest of the field five lengths back.
It is a first Welsh Grand National success for both trainer Rowley and jockey Charlie Hammond, as Val Dancer scoops the £85,425 first prize.
The race was run through heavy fog, with huge spells of the race not visible to those in the stands or watching at home.
Amateur, No Hubs No Hoobs and Your Own Story made the early running, with Val Dancer and Jubilee Express in close proximity.
Amateur had built up a six-length lead going into the back straight, but when the horses reappeared four jumps later the field was bunched together.
The order changed very little through the first circuit and a half, though Where It All Began became slightly detached at the rear of the field.
As the field approached the home straight for the final time Val Dancer and 2021 winner Iwilldoit had moved ahead.
Jubilee Express, Galia Des Liteuax and Classic Concord were in hot pursuit, as was Where It All Began who had moved through the field.
Approaching four out Where It All Began looked to be the biggest threat to the leading pair, but blundered at the fence so badly the horse was pulled up soon after.
Jumping the last it appeared to be a two-horse race, but Jubilee Express found an extra gear in the final half furlong.
With each stride Jubilee Express was making ground on Val Dancer, but the finish line came too soon for the Welsh-trained horse.
Speaking to Sky Sports, winning jockey Charlie Hammond said: “If you’d asked me six months ago I’d have said it wouldn’t happen.
“It’s a massive day, and he’s run really well and toughed it out.
“The Rowleys were adamant he would stay and he did, I thought we were beat two out.”
