It's a great day out for friends and family and a perfect treat for those who maybe visiting over the Christmas period. It's also a perfect opportunity to win back some of the pounds that many of us splash out over the festive season.

The Coral Welsh National held at Chepstow Racecourse in the glourious surroundings of Piercefield Park is this year being held on the 28th December 2009, first race scheduled for 12:20pm. The handicap chase of 3 miles and 5 and a half furlongs, incorporating 22 jumps and 20 runners is a very testing time for those horses entered into the big race, considering the time of year and the impact of the ground. Generally those horses who excell themselves here usually go on to prove themselves better in the longer distances.

Horses that have run here and have triumphed home to a first, have achieved amazing future results. Trainer Jenny Pitman saddled 'Corbine' in the 1981-1982 season pulling off a double in the Coral Welsh National and the Aintree Grand National. The following season another double was achieved by 'Burrough Hill Lad' grasping both the Welsh National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Earlier days have seen brilliant success from ex-trainer and jockey David Nicholson landing him three triumphant wins in 1959, 1960 and 1961. Looking back to the late 1980's trainer Martin Pipe succeeded 2 Welsh National wins with 'Bonanza Boy. More recently trainer P. Nicholls achieved 2 consecutive wins with 'Silver Birch' in 2004 and 'L'Aventure' in 2005.

This years Coral Welsh National at Chepstow Racecourse will see a lot of talent, winner of this years Aintree Grand National 'Mon Mome' will be racing with current odds at 7/1, other horses to look out for are 'High Chimes' who has been specifically trained for this race and stands a good chance. Keep an eye on 'Officer de Reserve' who also has high expectations with top jockey Ruby Walsh and trainer P. Nicholls who has already claimed two victorious wins back in 2004 and 2005.

Who knows what the result will be, but it goes to show that the Welsh National is a good head start to those who not only see this race as a day of enjoyment but for those eager to follow through to other major races on the seasons racing calander.

Miko de Beauchene 2007

What an unforgetable year this years win has been for those nearest and dearest to 'Miko De Beauchene's' trainer Mr Robert Alner. As seven weeks before 'Mikos' triumphant win, Alners family received the upsetting news that Robert was involved in a car accident, resulting in Robert breaking his neck.

At the time of the race Robert was laid up on a ventilator, with the outlook uncertain. Since the accident Robert has made excellent progress and is now back home with friends and family and we are sure evryone wishes him all the best.

Miko De Beauchene saddled with Andrew Thornton, who is one of the best jump jockeys around, excelled himself in this race, as he was one of the five left coming into the home straight. Riding alongside favorite 'Gungadu' who eventually found the going all too much, left 'Halcon Genelardais' and 'Miko De Beauchene' to fight it out over the last two fences.

It was the last fence that was to determine the 2007 winner, as 'Halcon Genelardais' made an error slowing down his drive which allowed 'Miko De Beauchene to take the crown over the last couple of hundred yards. Miko De Beauchene is an excellent performer who still at a young age and will go on many years to prove himself.

Halcon Genelardais 2006

Halcon Genelardais trained by the well known trainer Alan King, had a well desreved win in 2006.

This happened to be her 5th run over the much larger fences making this one her 4th win. Being a top weight of 11st 12lb she sure came out well, saddled with stable jockey Wayne Hutchinson they made it too the finish along with 11 others, but stormed ahead and grabbed the top spot leaving Mon Momme in 2nd from about 4 lengths.

L'Aventure 2005

2005 Welsh National Winner 'L,Aventure' ridden by Leighton Aspell, was one of 3 horses to come into the top spot from top National Hunt trainer P.F Nicholls.

Having ran this track numerous times before over the hurdles, he had not had his head in front for almost a year, this all changed when 'One Knight' fell at the final fence leaving the way for L'Aventure and 'Heros Collonges' to fight it out to the finish, but it was 'L,Aventure' that won by a distance leaving 2nd place for 'Heros Collonges' and 3rd to favorite 'Cornish Rebel' ridden by Ruby Walsh.

Silver Birch 2004

The 2004 Welsh National winner proved he could go that bit further in 2007 and won the Grand National after falling at The Chair (The Nationals highest fence) in 2006.

Total winning thus far top half a million pounds and is currently trained by one of the youngest trainers in the horse racing community Gordon Elliot. If it were not for a leg injury Silver Birch would have been set to also run in the 2005 National, who at the time was looking like one of the favourites. An Irish horse, Silver Birch is still running these days and is always worth a flutter on.

Memory of S. Saunders - April 14th 2009 - France

Apart from when I was a baby this was the only Grand National that I didn't watch, I remember it in particular because my sister and I used to nickname our car - a Talbot Horizon - Silver Birch! I heard it was running but was in a situation where I would not be able to place a bet. Needless to say, the next day I discovered my sister had clocked Silver Birch and had backed it, good on her.

Bindaree 2003

The 2002 Grand National winner will stick in most minds due to his fantastic ability in jumping the fences, winning the race by a close length and three quarters to the well known 'What's Up Boys'. The race was possibly more memorable due to the fact that only 11 of the forty runners were able to finish the race.

Bindaree was ridden very well by jockey Jim Culloty who had to negotiate the riderless horse Beau, Jim was able to switch and dive between What's Up Boys and the rail with Bindaree pushing on at the right moment to win the 2002 National.

Memory of J. Parkhurst - 21st April 2009 - Nottingham, UK

I was at my Grans for this National, I had just reached 19 years old and was giving it the big 'I know everything about betting'. What an idiot I was, offering advice on just about every horse to every memeber of the family telling them their horse wouldn't win.

I must have backed about 10-15 horses that day, all of them each way and I didn't get one in the top 4. Thankfully the family didn't have a go at me, in fact I probably lied and told them I had picked Bindaree - what an idiot!

Mini Sensation 2002

The 2002 Welsh National was close to abandonment due to heavy rainfall the night before, but lucky enough it was given the go ahead on the morning.

'Mini Sensation' trained by Jonjo O,Neill and saddeled with Tony Dobbin made his claim to 1st with pure excellence. Favorite 'Gunner Welburn' had to make do with a third as 'Mini Sensation' overtook him on the last three fences from home, leaving him to challenge 'Chives' which was done with complete ease winning by a very long six lengths.

Supreme Glory 2001

In a race packed with class horses Supreme Glory had to compete with Bindaree and 2000 Welsh National winner Jocks Cross.

Held on a cold 'day after boxing day' this race was probably one of the highlights of the festive season and with such great horse taking part there was always going to be a fantastic finish.

And what a close finish it was, Supreme Glory just showing enough burst to beat Jocks Cross by 2 lengths on a course where usually only one horse runs on to win my a large margin. Bindaree was another 6 lengths further back making this one of the closest top 3 finishes in Welsh National History.

Jock's Cross 2000

The Welsh National winner of 2000 was a fine horse and it showed not only in this race but in the following year of 2001 when Jocks Cross was just beaten by Supreme Glory over a close 2 lengths.

The 14-1 cnhancer showed such class in his gallopping style beating Moral Support by a classy 2 and a half lengths. Blood was pooring from Jocks Cross' nose when at the winner enclosure which obviously caused much concern although he is now in good health.

Edmond 1999

Edmund is one of the youngest horses to ever win the Welsh National at just 7 years old putting his name alongside Silver Birch and Notre Pere.

Ridden by the experienced, although probably not so much then, Richard Johnson, Edmond favoured soft ground which was probably the main reason that he was made one of the favourites for the Grand National the following year - unfortunately, the ground would not be as soft to his liking and remained one of those horses that just missed out on the big one.

Kendal Cavalier 1998

The 1998 Christmas festivity winner was a specialist in anything over 3 miles really and those who had studied his style and form would not have been suprised by this win.

Trainer Nigel Hawke was also the trainer of Grand National winner in 1991 in Seagram.

Earth Summit 1997

A Great Horse. Earth Summit is the only horse to have won The Grand National, Welsh National and Scottish National. Having won the Scottish National in 1994 Earth Summit won the 1998 Grand National ahead of Suny Bay by a huge eleven lengths.

This was after a near fatal accident at the Haydock Course. Whilst he also won the Welsh National in 1997 at a great price of 25-1 Earth Summit will always be remembered as the horse that won a triple crown of Nationals. Something that may never be done again.

Earth Summit passed away peacefully in 2005 from cancer.

Memory of M. Etherington - 21st April 2009 - UK

I really remember the 1998 National well because my husband and I backed the winner Earth Summit at 18-1, but Jerry didn't pay tax on the stake which was the thing to do at the time.

Therefore after betting £50 to win we would have expected £900, nevertheless a great race and good to get a win, even if we had to pay the Labour Party for the pleasure!

Abandoned 1996 and 1995

Something that is a concern almost every year is the weather. Seldom is the ground as soft as most would like it to be and with the Welsh National being held in December, usually a few days after Christmas Day, there will always be major inspections before the Welsh National is given the go ahead.

1995 and 1996 were major exceptions to the cause. Hard frost for two year running meant it just would not happen. As with all racing there is alway a very important safety factor for the horses, and with the ground being so rock hard it was not difficult in giving the abandoned decision for both these years.

Nevertheless, the dates will remain in history and one will always know why. Were you there on these days? Were you the groundsman? Let us know how you felt about it, should have even been abandoned?

Master Oats 1994

Those that have heard of Master Oats will have heard only good things.

The 1994 Welsh National winner not only surprised many with this win but was made a wonderful favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1995, which as all very good favourite do - Win.

Unfortunately despite running a few Grand Nationals and always well backed it just never came off for this super horse. You could also say that you would have wanted Master Oats to win the National too as he was and always be one of the peoples favourites.

Riverside Boy 1993

This Welsh National winner was something of class act but was unfortunately not seen after the Welsh National win due to the chaos of the Grand National in 1993.

Riverside Boy was entered into the 1993 National was a late entry after certain horses had pulled out with illnesses.

A 40-1 shot at the time, one will never know if he would have had it in him to do the National too. Martin Pipe possibly felt he may have been slightly over weight but then again, he would not have been entered without a chance, and many Welsh National winner tend to do very well in the Aintree Grand National.

Run For Free 1992

Run For Free was a great horse that was able to claim a win in the Welsh National but also, 4 months later do a National double by getting first place in the Scottish National in 1993 at Ayr.

Another Martin Pipe trained horse and ridden by Mark Perret, it seemed that during the late 80's and 90's that Mr Pipe just lent the 1st place of this race out from time to time although since Riverside Boy won the Wlesh National, the Pipe's has not won any of the Welsh Nationals since.

Carvill's Hill 1991

Cool Ground 1990

Bonanza Boy 1989 and 1988

A special horse that was able to retain the Grade 3 Welsh National hunt handicap chase by winning the 1988 and 1989 Welsh Nationals.

Bonanza Boy will remain close to all that saw this fine horse run.

With Martin Pipe as trainer and the famous Peter Scudamore on board this was always going to be one of those great horse racing stories.

Bonanza Boy had put on so much weight for the 1989 Welsh National that little felt he would make the trip only for him to cooly win both and become one of the only horses to retain a National win.