Leading Welsh trainer Sam Thomas was proud of his two horses’ efforts at the Coral Welsh Grand National even though Val Dancer emerged from the murk to seize victory. Val Dancer tenaciously held off Thomas’ dual challenge of Jubilee Express and Iwilldoit at Chepstow to win a race that was only visible at certain stages due to thick fog.

Welsh trainer Sam Thomas is hopeful Jubilee Express can prove “a special horse” by winning the Coral Welsh Grand National for him – just as Iwilldoit did three years ago. Thomas sends both horses to the start line at Chepstow on Friday with Jubilee Express most fancied to provide a home winner in Wales’ leading race in the calendar, which carries £150,000 of prize money.

The final meeting of the calendar year at Ffos Las Racecourse takes place on Wednesday with a seven-race offering to celebrate the Christmas Jumper Raceday. The action gets underway at 12.22pm as nine runners tackle the class four handicap hurdle before the action comes to a close at 3.50pm with the bumper – a Flat race ran over Jumps rules for runners making their way in the early stages of their career.

Sean Bowen secured his 100th win of the season on board Dominic’s Fault at Lingfield on Monday – and is confident he can further strengthen his position at the top of the Jump Jockeys’ Championship. The Championship runs from 4th May 2024 to 26th April 2025 and is based on the amount of winners jockeys ride over the course of the season.

Chepstow Racecourse hosts its latest Jumps card on Friday afternoon with a seven-race offering at the track as the cold snap sweeps across Britain. Racing will get underway at 12.30pm with a two mile and three furlong maiden hurdle in class four before the last race of the day heads off at 3.59pm as a field of 14 take on the Bumper – a Flat race run over Jumps rules.

Geoff Lewis – the only Welsh jockey ever to ride a winner of the Derby – has picked up another trophy to add to his collection. The 88-year-old – winner of the 1971 Derby on Mill Reef – was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Welsh Horse Racing Awards in Cardiff on Thursday night.