Coral Welsh Grand National report: The Two Amigos battles to victory

Fifth in 2019 and second in 2020, the winner was always at the head of affairs but was hard pressed by top weight and eventual third The Big Dog down the home straight.

He made a mistake and was beaten two out only for The Big Breakaway, trained by Kim Gingell's brother Joe Tizzard, to stay on to challenge.

For a stride or two he looked like he might go past for a poignant and popular victory but with his head set low, the The Two Amigos (16/1) stayed on to score by a length-and-a-quarter by David Pritchard.

Winning trainer Nicky Martin wasn't at Chepstow as she was unwell, but winning the biggest race of her career may just help her recuperate.

“That was absolutely brilliant. It’s such a shame we weren’t there, but I’m full of flu and I’m not sure I could have stuck that in that weather today,” said Martin. “Ironically we desperately needed the rain for him, we were praying for it, and it all panned out perfectly.

“He really deserved it, he’d run so well in it twice before and he is so popular. Dave did what he was told, get to the front and dictate the pace because he had no weight, and luckily it all worked out perfectly. It’s a race where you have to be handy, very few come from the back, so that was perfect and I’m delighted.

“It’s great for Dave, too. He doesn’t get that many rides and as a Welshman it will mean the world to him. For us, as a small yard, it’s a great boost for everybody. It also might be a great cure for flu!”

Prichard told Sky Sports Racing: “I must thank Nicky Martin and her partner John who give me a lot of opportunities, I’m just glad I can pay them back with a win like this.

“He always tries his best but today we got the right ground and it was far enough and he was off a featherweight. I didn’t have a lot of Christmas dinner but it was worth it!

“I got a good start and then I didn’t see anyone else which I was thankful of, his jumping was so good, he makes ground at every fence. I was born and raised near Cardiff in Pontypridd so all my family are here today, now I’m based down in Devon.”

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