Monday December 28th was the date when Chepstow racecourse was able to hold the Coral Welsh National For the second year in succession. The weather had been dreadful since about Christmas eve and I could not have been the only person who thought of the recent past in 1995,96 , When the race was Abandoned and also 1994 when the race was run at Newbury. But the National was to go ahead and the official going leading up to the day was soft but it was obvious that the going would be changed to heavy on the day . Arriving at Chepstow the Public was sent to park on the centre of the course which seems to be the norm now on National day but the approach was well sign posted and there was no problems for those who came early. Indeed entrance to the enclosures are made after crossing the course but it was well marshalled and there was no problems getting in.  When the racing started it seemed as if the weather would hold all day but just as the horses were going down to the start of the second race there was a heavy hail storm It was so bad that you could not see even the racecourse rails from the stand as can be seen from this photograph. However this soon passed and it brightened up and by the time the parade for the National Had Started it was fine and sunny but because of the hail it did however make the course very sticky.  We were all treated to a good National even if the result was unexpected ( By Most ) .
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