Raz in a teenage rampage at Chepstow

The Swan family from Skryne was rewarded for patience and persistence at Chepstow today when the gallant Raz De Maree (13)  stormed to victory in the 2017 re-scheduled Welsh Grand National with a 16-year-old jockey.

It was a fitting reward for the connections who saw Raz De Maree finish third in a first run for the family in amaiden hurdle at Punchestown in 2010 and today was running for the 44th time.

That's a great achievement by the trainer Gavin Cromwell and his staff at the base near Danestown and not too far from the Hill of Tara.

Last year there was hopes of winning the Aintree Garnd National but was a casualty at Bechers and the Irish Grand National where the saddle slipped when going well. 
Then there was the journey to Chepstow at Christmas for the race which was postponed due to a flooed tarck and they had to do it all again this week - with the stormy weather on Wednesday and Thursday last causing some uncertainly over the ferry sailings.

Raz De Maree and Ger Fox were runner-up in 2016, but today it all came good with a teenage jockey James Bowen - who is only about three or four years older than his veteran 13-year-old partner in the marathon race.

"He's only a small horse, but has such heart, this is fantastic, just brilliant," commented the trainer in a post-race interview.

The 'experienced' jockey was delighted with the win and remarked 

"He's only a few years younger than me, I thought we'd do well to get round and pick up a place.

"Once he passed a few horses he then picked up the bit and we ended up getting there too soon," he added.

The Jim Dreaper-trained Notre Pere was the first irish winner of the Welsh National in 2008 with Andrew Lynch on board and now Raz De Maree is added to the roll of honour.

This is the fourth time, since the first running of the race 70 years ago in 1948, that the race took place in the January of the following year, but that won't matter too much to the winning trainer or the winning connections.

Paul Carberry won the 2012 race with Monbeg Due in January 2013 while back in 1976 the late John Burke who was from Nobber won the race on Rag Trade after winning the Aintree Natioanl the same year.