Emperor's Choice claims Welsh Grand National

Emperor's Choice showed endless stamina to deny Benvolio and Glenquest in a thrilling finish to the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

The Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old appeared to have blown his chance when making a mistake in the home straight, handing the initiative to the Irish challenger Glenquest.

A big leap at the last looked to have sealed it for bottom weight Glenquest, but he was running on empty soon after and his pursuers sensed their chance.

Benvolio seemed set to be the beneficiary as Sam Twiston-Davies hunted for glory, but Aidan Coleman refused to be denied on Emperor's Choice and the 9-1 chance prevailed by a short head and two and a half lengths.

Previous winner Monbeg Dude briefly threatened in the straight and stuck on for fourth.

Coleman said: "I've ridden some big winners in my career but this tops, it, I don't know why.

"I've never had a feeling like that when the photo was called, it's such a prestigious race and to win it for Venetia and the team is great. These are great owners of ours.

"Venetia is a world class trainer and she deserves better horses."

Williams, winning the race for the second time after Jocks Cross in 2000, said: "I thought the fact he was in front meant the ground wasn't testing enough or they weren't going quick enough.

"I thought there would be too many in with a chance turning for home and they'd have too much speed for him, which they did, but when stamina really came into play he came back at them.

"He's been all about stamina. He was a slow learner and took a while to get into gear. I never dreamed he'd be able to make the running in such a prestigious race as I didn't think he'd be quick enough.

"It was really special for me as we had a box today with all my owners and friends and we were screaming, they must have heard us on the other side of the River Severn."

Bristol De Mai catapulted himself into the JCB Triumph Hurdle reckoning by winning the coral.co.uk Future Champions Finale Juvenile Hurdle.

Owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who are also lucky enough to have current Triumph favourite Peace And Co run in their silks, he travelled like a class act in the hands of Daryl Jacob.

The consistent Karezak was also going well just behind the leaders and the two of them had it to themselves from some way out.

While Karezak was not always fluent at his hurdles, though, Nigel Twiston-Davies' French import was foot-perfect.

Jacob never had to get overly serious with his mount as the 6-1 chance pulled six lengths clear.

The favourite Golden Doyen was ultimately disappointing for Philip Hobbs.

Jacob said: "He's a big, powerful horse, I've liked him since the first day I sat on him.

"He jumped well, and it was good education for him as he's still very green. He was so full of running, he's an exciting horse."

Asked to compare with Peace And Co, Jacob said: "They are two different kind of horses, Peace And Co goes on good ground no problem, but this lad just relishes the mud."

Twiston-Davies said: "We were very hopeful but it was his first run in England so we couldn't be certain.

"We don't know how he'll cope on better ground, he's classy and hopefully he'll cope.

"I've had very few nice three-year-old hurdlers, we had Upgrade but he's a nicer horse than he ever was.

"We'll definitely give him one more run and we'll talk to the owners and work out where we do go."

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