 The 1997 Coral Welsh National.The race was held this year on 27th of December, this was to be the first running of the race at Chepstow since 1994 after two abandoned meetings, and one run at Newbury after the planned meeting had to be abandoned because of frost.It was with great pleasure that we were to witness a very good winner this year indeed, a horse that enventually was to be a triple National winner ( Welsh, Scottish and Aintree.)
1st Earth Summit .......... 9 10 13T Jenks N Twiston-Davies 25-1Won this race well. Was always in touch and disputed the lead for a long time in race. Has been a bit up and down in past however he was second in the Welsh National in 1995 behind Master Oats and had Party Politics behind that day. Has always had a good race or two in him, but requires long distances and heavy going to show his best. With hindsight was over priced at 25-1 but was not fancied on the day as there were supposedly better horses running. 10 yrs old now (1998) may be one to watch this year and next. 2nd Dom Samourai .......... 6 10 0 (FR)J A McCarthy M Pipe (1 3/4 l) 12-1This horse was held up until about 4 out where he went on to get 2nd at 2 out, and then stayed on from there. This is a funny sort of horse who has been mulish in the past and often seems like he does not want to take part. He does seem a little more keen this year winning twice. At only 7 (1998) he will show his best in the next few years if he has a mind to. The way he finished in this race he must be one to be considered if the ground is soft/heavy. I like this horse he could be an exciting prospect if he gets his heart into the game. 3rd Samlee .......... 8 10 5(IRE) D Bridgwater P Hobbs (10l) 7-1Held up and behind but stayed on. I feel this horse was not given a chance to win the race by David Bridgewater. The horse was too far out of touch when the race began to take shape. One thing that is sure is that this horse was doing all his best work in the closing stages and is crying out for further. This horse looks like a good Each way thing to me at 33-1 for the Grand National (even though he is out of the handicap ) as he can run on soft or fast ground and one of his best winning performances was in March last year. 4th Killeshin .......... 11 10 1S Curran H Manners (31/2 l) 25-1This horse was held up until about 3 out and stayed on but never got nearer than he did at the finish. A good horse this and ran well but at 12 we must have seen the best of this horse 5th Indian Tracker .......... 7 10 12C Maude M Pipe (15l ) 5-1This looks like a high class chaser in the making. was well fancied on the day and disputed the lead until he made a mistake 3 out, but by this time he was weakening but he kept up to his work although he looked very tied at the finish. He is another who requires at least 3 miles and testing ground to show his best, And at 8 yrs old maybe we will see it soon. 6th Banjo .......... 7 11 11(FR) R Thornton D Nicholson (5l ) 10-1Ran well throughout until a mistake at the 13th fence. He has beaten the winner this season but gave him more weight in this race. Has had injury problems in the past, Lets hope he is clear now must win more good races. 7th Greenhil Tare Away .......... 9 10 7S McNeill P Hobbs (20l ) 33-1Made good progress in the middle stages of this race but got tailed off after a mistake.A genuine horse who loves Chepstow and Cheltenham, runs well when fresh and was pulled up on his only other run this year. Acts on any ground . One to watch and this race may put him back to the winning mark. Also ran :-Pulled Up Belmont King (IRE) 9 12 0 P Nicholls R Dunwoody 8-1Pulled Up Cyborgo (FR) 7 11 13 M Pipe A P McCoy 3-1 fav Pulled Up Bells Life (IRE) 8 11 3P Hobbs G Tormey 10-1 Pulled Up Evangelica (USA) 7 10 3M Pipe G Supple(5) 40-1 Pulled Up Giventime 910 2Andrew Turnell L Harvey 10-1 Pulled Up Cariboo Gold (USA) 8 10 1K Bailey P Carberry 10-1 Pulled Up Foodbroker Star (IRE) 7 10 0J Gifford O Burrows(5) 33-1 Winning time for race 8 mins 13 secs.  |