:Welsh Grand National

{{short description|Steeplechase horse race in Britain}}

{{EngvarB|date=April 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox horseraces

|class = Premier Handicap

|horse race = Coral Welsh Grand National

|image =

|caption =

|location = Chepstow Racecourse
Chepstow, Wales

|inaugurated = 1895

|race type = Chase

|sponsor = Coral

|website = [http://www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk Chepstow]

|distance = 3m 6½f (6,154 metres)

|surface = Turf

|track = Left-handed

|qualification = Four-years-old and up

|weight = Handicap

|purse = £150,000 (2019)
1st: £85,425

|bonuses =

}}

{{Jockey colours header

| name = Welsh Grand National }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2024

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Tim Leadbeater.svg

| alt1 = Pink and purple check, pink sleeves, black cap

| caption1 = Val Dancer

| image2 = File:Owner Walters Plant Hire Ltd.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue and white diabolo, hooped sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Jubilee Express

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Sam Thomas.svg

| alt3 = Dark green and royal blue diamonds, royal blue sleeves, dark green diamonds,royal blue cap, dark green diamond

| caption3 = Iwilldoit

}}

|}

{{Jockey colours collapsible header}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2023

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Vanessa J Stone.svg

| alt1 = White, dark green hoops, white sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Nassalam

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow (quartered), white sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Iron Bridge

| image3 = File:Owner Diamond Racing Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Black, emerald green triple diamond, diamonds on sleeves, black cap, emerald green diamond

| caption3 = Iwilldoit

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2022

| image1 = File:Owner Bradley Partnership.svg

| alt1 = Maroon, beige star, diabolo on sleeves and star on cap

| caption1 = The Two Amigos

| image2 = File:Owner Eric Jones, Geoff Nicholas, John Roman.svg

| alt2 = Red, yellow triple diamond, white sleeves, red armlets

| caption2 = The Big Breakaway

| image3 = File:Owner Damien J Kelly and Colin Kelly.svg

| alt3 = White, red star, red sleeves, white armlets, quartered cap

| caption3 = The Big Dog

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2021

| image1 = File:Owner Diamond Racing Ltd.svg

| alt1 = Black, emerald green triple diamond, diamonds on sleeves, black cap, emerald green diamond

| caption1 = Iwilldoit

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Thomas Barr.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, royal blue hoop, armlets and cap

| caption2 = Highland Hunter

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Gordon Hall.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, royal blue spots, halved sleeves, emerald green cap

| caption3 = Truckers Lodge

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2020-2011 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2020

| image1 = File:Owner Mr and Mrs William Rucker.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, pink hoop

| caption1 = Secret Reprieve

| image2 = File:Owner Bradley Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Maroon, beige star, diabolo on sleeves and star on cap

| caption2 = The Two Amigos

| image3 = File:Owner Hills of Ledbury Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, royal blue spots

| caption3 = Yala Enki

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2019

| image1 = File:Owner All Stars Sports Racing.svg

| alt1 = Red, white epaulets, dark blue and white hooped sleeves, yellow and dark blue quartered cap

| caption1 = Potters Corner

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Gordon Hall.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, royal blue spots, halved sleeves, emerald green cap

| caption2 = Truckers Lodge

| image3 = File:Owner Hills of Ledbury Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, royal blue spots

| caption3 = Yala Enki

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2018

| image1 = File:Owner Mr J P Romans.svg

| alt1 = Black, yellow triple diamond, diabolo on sleeves and diamond on cap

| caption1 = Elegant Escape

| image2 = File:Owner Mr A J White.svg

| alt2 = Maroon and yellow diamonds, halved sleeves, yellow cap

| caption2 = Ramses De Teillee

| image3 = File:Owner Hills of Ledbury Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, royal blue spots

| caption3 = Yala Enki

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2017

| image1 = File:Owner James J Swan.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, white cross of lorraine, royal blue cap, white star

| caption1 = Raz De Maree

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Alan Beard.svg

| alt2 = White and black stripes, royal blue sleeves, white cap

| caption2 = Alfie Spinner

| image3 = File:Owner Corbett Stud.svg

| alt3 = Pink, royal blue epaulets, royal blue cap

| caption3 = Final Nudge

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2016

| image1 = File:Owner Brocade Racing.svg

| alt1 = Red and purple (quartered), yellow sleeves, red cap

| caption1 = Native River

| image2 = File:Owner James J Swan.svg

| alt2 = Royal blue, white cross of lorraine, royal blue cap, white star

| caption2 = Raz De Maree

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs Julian Blackwell.svg

| alt3 = Red, dark blue disc, halved sleeves

| caption3 = Houblon Des Obeaux

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2015

| image1 = File:Owner Hartley Phillips Roseff Shields.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, purple cap

| caption1 = Mountainous

| image2 = File:Owner Mr R E R Williams.svg

| alt2 = Black, white hoop, black sleeves, white stars

| caption2 = Firebird Flyer

| image3 = File:Owner Axom_dark_blue_cap.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, white sleeves, dark blue diamonds and cap

| caption3 = Shotgun Paddy

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2014

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Louise Hartwell.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, white hoop and sleeves

| caption1 = Emperor's Choice

| image2 = File:Owner Miss R Dobson.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, red seams, hooped sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Benvolio

| image3 = File:Owner Coolglen Syndicate.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, purple star, diabolo on sleeves and star on cap

| caption3 = Glenquest

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2013

| image1 = File:Owner Mr J E Potter.svg

| alt1 = White, red braces, emerald green and white check sleeves, white cap, red star

| caption1 = Mountainous

| image2 = File:Owner Mr C G Roach.svg

| alt2 = Red, white cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap

| caption2 = Hawkes Point

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Graham Wylie.svg

| alt3 = Black and beige (halved), chevrons on sleeves, beige cap

| caption3 = Tidal Bay

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2012

| image1 = File:Owner Oydunow.svg

| alt1 = Red, white stripe, white and red diabolo on sleeves

| caption1 = Monbeg Dude

| image2 = File:Owner Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue and white stripes, halved sleeves

| caption2 = Teaforthree

| image3 = File:Owner Mr M G St Quinton.svg

| alt3 = Pink and yellow diamonds, yellow sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Triggerman

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2011

| image1 = File:Owner Mr R L C Hartley.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, purple spots on sleeves, purple cap

| caption1 = Le Beau Bai

| image2 = File:Owner K C M S Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, dark green stripe and armlets, dark green and yellow quartered cap

| caption2 = Giles Cross

| image3 = File:Owner Mr and Mrs William Rucker.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, pink hoop

| caption3 = Cappa Bleu

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2011

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Synchronised

| image2 = File:Owner K C M S Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, dark green stripe and armlets, dark green and yellow quartered cap

| caption2 = Giles Cross

| image3 = File:Owner Mr F J Matthews.svg

| alt3 = Red, yellow sash, royal blue sleeves and cap

| caption3 = I'moncloudnine

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2010-2001 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2009

| image1 = File:Owner The Alliance Partnership.svg

| alt1 = Grey, maroon epaulets and armlets, hooped cap

| caption1 = Dream Alliance

| image2 = File:Owner Mr G S Brown.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, black chevrons, yellow sleeves, hooped cap

| caption2 = Silver By Nature

| image3 = File:Owner Mr R L C Hartley.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, purple spots on sleeves, purple cap

| caption3 = Le Beau Bai

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2008

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs P J Conway.svg

| alt1 = Pink, white hoop, royal blue cap

| caption1 = Notre Pere

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Peter Hart.svg

| alt2 = Dark green, white hoop, checked sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Cornish Sett

| image3 = File:Owner Miss K. M. Franklin.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, red star, white sleeves, red stars, red cap

| caption3 = Halcon Genelardais

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2007

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Andrew Wiles.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green and maroon (halved), sleeves reversed, emerald green and maroon quartered cap

| caption1 = Miko de Beauchene

| image2 = File:Owner Miss K. M. Franklin.svg

| alt2 = Emerald Green, Red star, White sleeves, Red stars, Red cap

| caption2 = Halcon Genelardais

| image3 = File:Owner Mr D A Johnson.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, emerald green sleeves, white cap, emerald green spots

| caption3 = Over The Creek

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2006

| image1 = File:Owner Miss K. M. Franklin.svg

| alt1 = Emerald Green, Red star, White sleeves, Red stars, Red cap

| caption1 = Halcon Genelardais

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Vida Bingham.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, purple armlets

| caption2 = Mon Mome

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Juveigneur

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2005

| image1 = File:Owner Mr C J Harriman.svg

| alt1 = Red and yellow diamonds, white cap

| caption1 = L'aventure

| image2 = File:Owner Mr J Hales.svg

| alt2 = YELLOW, Red star, Yellow sleeves and White armlet, Yellow cap and Red star

| caption2 = Heros Collonges

| image3 = File:Owner Mr C G Roach.svg

| alt3 = Red, white cross belts, hooped sleeves and star on cap

| caption3 = Cornish Rebel

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2004

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Des Nichols and Mr Peter Hart.svg

| alt1 = Yellow, light blue hoop

| caption1 = Silver Birch

| image2 = File:Owner Fair City Flyers.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, light blue stars

| caption2 = Strong Resolve

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Chives

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2003

| image1 = File:Owner Mr H R Mould.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star

| caption1 = Bindaree

| image2 = File:Owner Mr A Hordle.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, red stars, red sleeves, yellow stars, yellow cap, red star

| caption2 = Sir Rembrandt

| image3 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Hedgehunter

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2002

| image1 = File:Owner Mr John P McManus.svg

| alt1 = Emerald green and yellow hoops, white cap

| caption1 = Mini Sensation

| image2 = File:Owner Mr Trevor Hemmings.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green and yellow quartered, white sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Chives

| image3 = File:Owner W A Ritson.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, light blue cap

| caption3 = Gunner Welburn

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2001

| image1 = File:Owner C J L Moorsom.svg

| alt1 = Royal blue, dark blue chevrons on body, white cap

| caption1 = Supreme Glory

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs Gill Harrison.svg

| alt2 = Black and pink diabolo, pink sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Jocks Cross

| image3 = File:Owner Mr H R Mould.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, white stars, emerald green cap, white star

| caption3 = Bindaree

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 2000-1991 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 2000

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Gill Harrison.svg

| alt1 = Black and pink diabolo, pink sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Jocks Cross

| image2 = File:Owner Mr T Yates.svg

| alt2 = Mauve, purple seams, striped sleeves and star on cap

| caption2 = Moral Support

| image3 = File:Owner Lady Knutsford.svg

| alt3 = Black, Orange sleeves, Red cap

| caption3 = Edmond

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1999

| image1 = File:Owner Lady Knutsford.svg

| alt1 = Black, Orange sleeves, Red cap

| caption1 = Edmond

| image2 = File:Owner The Old Foresters Partnership.svg

| alt2 = Dark Blue and Yellow stripes, White sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Forest Ivory

| image3 = File:Owner Mr R M Penny.svg

| alt3 = Yellow, Brown disc, striped sleeves, hooped cap

| caption3 = Earthmover

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1998

| image1 = File:Owner Michael Wingfield Digby.svg

| alt1 = Pink, Black chevron and armlets, quartered cap

| caption1 = Kendal Cavalier

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs E Roberts.svg

| alt2 = Black, red sash, quartered cap

| caption2 = Fiddling The Facts

| image3 = File:Owner The Old Foresters Partnership.svg

| alt3 = Dark Blue and Yellow stripes, White sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Forest Ivory

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1997

| image1 = File:Owner Jump For Fun Racing.svg

| alt1 = Black, yellow seams, yellow sleeves, quartered cap

| caption1 = Earth Summit

| image2 = File:Owner Mr B A Kilpatrick.svg

| alt2 = Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Dom Samourai

| image3 = File:Owner White Lion Partnership.svg

| alt3 = Black yellow stars, red sleeves, yellow stars on cap

| caption3 = Samlee

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1994

| image1 = File:Owner P A Matthews.svg

| alt1 = Black, yellow chevron, hooped sleeves, black cap

| caption1 = Master Oats

| image2 = File:Owner Jump For Fun Racing.svg

| alt2 = Black, yellow seams, yellow sleeves, quartered cap

| caption2 = Earth Summit

| image3 = File:Owner Mrs D Thompson.svg

| alt3 = Pink, purple cross belts, hooped sleeves, purple cap

| caption3 = Party Politics

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1993

| image1 = File:Owner Miss H A Bisgrove.svg

| alt1 = Light blue, brown epaulets, sleeves and cap

| caption1 = Riverside Boy

| image2 = File:Owner Mrs R G Henderson.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue and pink (quartered), blue sleeves, blue cap, pink spots

| caption2 = Fiddlers Pike

| image3 = File:Owner Whitcombe Manor Racing Stables Limited.svg

| alt3 = Dark blue, yellow star and sleeves, yellow star on cap

| caption3 = Cool Ground

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1992

| image1 = File:Owner Mrs Millicent R Freethy.svg

| alt1 = Maroon, yellow epaulets, armlets and star on cap

| caption1 = Run For Free

| image2 = File:Owner Miss H A Bisgrove.svg

| alt2 = Light blue, brown epaulets, sleeves and cap

| caption2 = Riverside Boy

| image3 = File:Owner Freddie Starr.svg

| alt3 = Red, yellow star, yellow sleeves, yellow cap, red star

| caption3 = Miinnehoma

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1991

| image1 = File:Owner Mr Paul Green.svg

| alt1 = Light blue, dark blue diamond and diamond on cap

| caption1 = Carvill's Hill

| image2 = File:Owner D R Stoddart.svg

| alt2 = Claret, eton blue spots on body, blue cap

| caption2 = Party Politics

| image3 = File:Owner Mr B A Kilpatrick.svg

| alt3 = Emerald green, scarlet hooped sleeves and cap

| caption3 = Aquilifer

}}

{{Jockey colours no footer}}

{{Jockey colours named collapsible header

| name = 1990-1987 }}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1990

| image1 = File:Owner Whitcombe Manor Racing Stables Limited.svg

| alt1 = Dark blue, yellow star and sleeves, yellow star on cap

| caption1 = Cool Ground

| image2 = File:Owner A M Picken.svg

| alt2 = Maroon, gold sash and cap with maroon spots

| caption2 = Carrick Hill Lad

| image3 = File:Owner Rowlandsons Ltd (jewellers).svg

| alt3 = White, black diamond, black and white striped sleeves, white cap, black diamond

| caption3 = Rowlandsons Jewels

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1989

| image1 = File:Owner The Reims Partnership.svg

| alt1 = Pink, white stars, pink sleeves, purple armlets, pink cap, white star

| caption1 = Bonanza Boy

| image2 = File:Owner Whitcombe Manor Racing Stables Limited.svg

| alt2 = Dark blue, yellow star and sleeves, yellow star on cap

| caption2 = Cool Ground

| image3 = File:Owner Charter Racing Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Blue, white stars, white cap

| caption3 = Charter Hardware

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1988

| image1 = File:Owner The Reims Partnership.svg

| alt1 = Pink, white stars, pink sleeves, purple armlets, pink cap, white star

| caption1 = Bonanza Boy

| image2 = File:Owner W Marzouk.svg

| alt2 = Yellow, emerald green braces, yellow sleeves, green armlets, hooped cap

| caption2 = Run And Skip

| image3 = File:Owner T P M McDonagh Ltd.svg

| alt3 = Green, white star, orange sleeves and cap

| caption3 = The Thinker

}}

{{Jockey colours row

| year = 1987

| image1 = File:Owner R E W Cottle.svg

| alt1 = Light blue and rust (quartered), rust collar and sleeves, yellow cap

| caption1 = Playschool

| image2 = File:Owner Miss Juliet E Reed.svg

| alt2 = Pink, Purple stars, Pink sleeves, Purple cap, Pink star

| caption2 = Rhyme 'N' Reason

| image3 = File:Owner D Bloomfield.svg

| alt3 = Royal blue, black braces, striped sleeves

| caption3 = Midnight Madness

}}

{{Jockey colours footer}}

The Coral Welsh Grand National is a Premier Handicap National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Chepstow, Wales, over a distance of about 3 miles and 6½ furlongs (3 miles 6 furlongs and 130 yards, or 6,154 metres), and during its running there are twenty-three fences to be jumped. It is a handicap race, and it is scheduled to take place each year on 27 December.

The race was first run in 1895, and it originally took place at Ely Racecourse in Cardiff. It remained at this venue until the closure of the course in 1939. After World War II it was transferred to Newport Racecourse in 1948, and it was then moved to its present venue in 1949. Dick Francis, the famous jockey turned author, rode the first Chepstow winner of the race, Fighting Line. David Nicholson, later a successful racehorse trainer, rode three successive Welsh National winners in 1959, 1960 and 1961.

Originally run on Easter Tuesday, it was moved to February in 1969 with the aim of attracting better horses, albeit with the increased risk of bad weather forcing its cancellation. It has been sponsored by bookmakers Coral from 1973 and is now the longest running sponsorship in jump racing. The race was given Grade 3 status when the National Hunt Pattern was revised in 1989 and was re-classified as a Premier Handicap from the 2022 running when Grade 3 status was renamed by the British Horseracing Authority.{{cite web |title=Jump Pattern Committee update 22/23 season |url=https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/jump-pattern-committee-update-22-23-season/ |publisher=British Horseracing Authority |access-date=12 August 2022}}

It was moved to late December in 1979, after that year's original fixture was abandoned due to snow. The meeting is now held the day after Boxing Day and since then the class of runners has improved further, making it an informative guide to future races such as the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The race distance was extended from 3 miles 5 furlongs and 110 yards to its present distance in 2019, to allow a longer run to the first bend; this also meant that field now jumps 23 fences rather than the previous 22.{{cite web |title=Amendments To Coral Welsh Grand National Distance |url=https://www.arenaracingcompany.co.uk/media-centre/news/racing/amendments-to-coral-welsh-grand-national-distance |website=Arena Racing Company |date=2 November 2019}}

Among the winners were Burrough Hill Lad in 1983, who went on to land the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup less than three months later. Trainer Jenny Pitman had the previous season saddled Corbière to win the Welsh and Aintree Nationals. In the late 80s and early 90s, the race was dominated by Somerset trainer Martin Pipe. Bonanza Boy achieved consecutive successes in 1988 and 1989, and in 1991 the giant Carvill's Hill became one of the easiest winners in the history of the race.Lee, Brian. 2002. The Welsh Grand National. {{ISBN|0-7524-2728-8}}Chepstow racecourse website

More recent winners of both the Welsh and the Aintree Grand National are Bindaree and Silver Birch. The 2010 winner, Synchronised, went on to win the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 2016 winner Native River, ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson, went on to win the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup.