16:11 Full marks to Officials at Chepstow for persevering and allowing the meeting to go ahead, although it was very much touch and go.

Very much a Welsh occasion the rendition of Land Of My Fathers before the big race made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

As an added bonus we were treated to a Welsh owned winner of the big race, with Dream Alliance owned by 23 friends from a social club in the former Monmouthshire pit village of Cefn Fforest and bred on an allotment in Wales by Jan & Brian Vokes, who have previously won the Welsh National racing for pigeons  - quite a double.

16:04 Something of an upset in the final race as Seamus Durack puts in a front running performance on the exposed Crannaghmore Boy to deny the favourite Livinonedge under AP McCoy.

Setting off in front the nearest Durack came to seeing a rival was when McCoy came upsides two furlongs from home but a quick shake of the reigns and he was soon clear again.

This time McCoy was not able to get a response from his mount and he seemed to accept defeat inside the final half furlong, going down by 4½ lengths.

15:41 Our final contest is the Coralcasino.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat race over the extended two miles in which nine go to post.

15:39 A double for McCoy as Be There In Five overcomes a 246 day layoff to continue Nicky Henderson’s current run of form.

Scottish Munros was the early leader but soon ceded the lead to Express Leader before dropping out of contention.

Be There In Five and Preuty Boy settled in second and third spot.

By the time they turned for home Express Leader and Be There In Five were well clear with Volador making progress to be the only possible challenger.

Approaching two out McCoy hit the front and soon pulled well clear and the race was never in doubt.

15:09 Sorry no report on the 2:45 as I was following up on the National.

It was a shock result though as the even money favourite was beaten by 10/1 shot Me Voci.

15:03 A great day for the Welsh.

Before the Welsh National the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards marched in front of the stands to tumultuous applause.

This was followed by a stirring rendition of the Welsh National Anthem by Sara Kempe

Then if that wasn’t enough Welsh pride the big race was won by a Welsh owned horse in the shape of Dream Alliance.

Scottish National winner Hello But set the pace on the first circuit and as they completed the first circuit all 18 were still running, despite the best efforts of both Flintoff and Gone To Lunch to lose their riders.

Having said that Gone To Lunch was soon pulled up.

Coe took up the running as they went down the back straight, accompanied half way by Silver By Nature, Miko de Beauchene  and Dream Alliance.

These four still held sway turning for home, having been joined by Ballyfitz and the favourite Le Beau Bai – these six being the only ones with a serious chance.

Operation Houdini who had attracted some late money fell four out bringing down Hello Bud, neither of whom were in contention.

Three out Dream Alliance hit the front and soon had a decent advantage.

The leader dived at the final fence but his momentum was not lost

With the final fence being omitted it was a long run-in and Dream Alliance began to idle in front. Silver By Nature made a good attempt to challenge and was closing with every stride. However the line came in time as Dream Alliance recorded a diminishing ¾ length victory.

Favourite Le Beau Bai took third with Miko de Beauchene fourth.

Winning trainer Philip Hobbs said, "It's like a dream come true for the whole lot of them. It's amazing really and he's aptly-named.

"Good job we didn't have anther 20 yards to go. I was just a bit worried for a second.

"At his best, his form is very good but he's probably a bit better fresh, so we waited a long time from his first run over hurdles.

"He was a few pounds out of the Hennessy so we decided to miss that and this was the option."

The runner-up's trainer Lucinda Russell said, "I'm gutted to be second but when you think about it, you have to be really pleased too.

"I thought he got a dream ride through the race and he just didn't quite get there”.

14:02 Mon Mome does not run due to the ground.

The jockeys are having a team photo in the parade ring ahead of our big race the extended 3m 5f Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase.

18 will now line up and the spectators are standing twelve deep around the parade ring.

13:56 Some breaking news Mon Mome is out of the National.

13:54 Tony McCoy has been champion jockey for the past 14 seasons and racegoers at Chepstow have just seen first hand why as he fought all the way to the line on Money Order to deny the favourite Strategic Approach.

It was a typical, well judged McCoy ride as he seemingly came from nowhere to mount the challenge in the final furlong.

Magnifico and Bella Haze were the pace setters, although it has to be said the pace was indeed steady.

Bella Haze still had the advantage as they turned for home but Tom Scudamore was soon on his quarters aboard the mare Mistress To No One.

Scudamore took up the running passing what would have been the third last and had a good lead, although by the last Strategic Approach was upsides.

Strategic Approach hit the front at the last, at which point McCoy made his challenge.

As McCoy asked for an effort backers of the favourite had that sinking feeling as McCoy first came upsides and then pulled ahead.

From the stands there seemed to be little doubt as to the result. Perhaps judge Di Clarke did not believe what she saw as she decided to call for a photograph but the result, when it came, was emphatic as she called a neck victory.

The front pair finished 13 lengths clear of their rivals, with Magnigico just denying Mistress To No One third spot.

13:30 No official news yet re the National but last fence is still dolled off

13:23 Race three the Coral.co.uk Handicap Hurdle, a three mile contest, sees 14 go to post.

Runners were all relaxed in the parade ring.

13:17 A cracking race in our second with many in with chances.

Super Formen was to the fore throughout and looked to be a contender in the finish, however many challengers emerged.

Or Bleu looked a very lively challenger before dropping out quickly as they turned for home.

Private Be, on the other hand, after some sketchy early jumping took up the running at the last and looked to be the likely winner with Amble Forge and Super Forman looking to battle it out for second spot.

However Tom O’Brien, returning after breaking his leg, had made good progress on Magic Sky to join in the fun.

As they by-passed the last Private Be still had the advantage but O’Brien asked Magic Sky for a final effort and he ran on well to record 1¾ length victory over Private Be.

Amble Forge was a similar distance back in third.    

12:53 Race two is the Coral.co.uk Handicap Chase over the extended 2m 3f.

Nine go to post with Nirvana Swing a non-runner.

12:51 Non-runners creeping through, will update as I can

12:46 Last fence being omitted in next as well

12:40 An eventful opening contest even though we only had six runners.

Giles Cross set out to make all, pursued by Mark the Book.

Starburst Diamond and Nebeltau had a battle for second, with the favourite Earth Planet and Valick in rear.

The first incident came at the tenth fence where Starburst Diamond buckled on landing.

Soon after Nebeltau tailed off before pulling up.

Meanwhile Giles Cross was looking good in front, having jumped perfectly and seemingly having the measure of his rivals. However he made his first mistake four out and gave David England no chance of remaining on board.

This left Mark The Book in front with Earth Planet in second place but almost a fence behind and Valick a similar distance back in third.

Only the fences would deny Mark The Book but he fenced with care and came home a well eased distance winner, walking over the line.

It has to be said Giles Cross was very unlucky and conversely Mark The Book was a very fortunate winner.

12:13 Six face the starter in the opening Coral Backing Sue Ryder Beginners’ Chase, over three miles.

Mark The Brook caught the eye in the parade ring, along with Earth Planet.

Giles Cross and Starburst Diamond were both pulling hard, Nebeltau was on his toes and Valick was a head shaker.

12:05 The going is Heavy, Soft in Places

12:02 The last fence is being omitted in the opener and the third last hurdle will be omitted all afternoon.

11:56 Another non-runner, this time Iris De Balme in the big one

11:54 Racing goes ahead although there are some concerns about parts of the hurdle course on the back straight.

11:25 The sun is now starting to hit the bend off the home straight, the white area is shrinking, slowly but surely.

11:15 Increasing confidence here.

11:09 Most of the track is now a verdant green. Main area of concern is a 100m stretch coming out of the home straight where it is still very frosty.

10:59 AP McCoy, who has just walked the course, thinks racing will go ahead

10:48 Mick Fitzgerald is doing some last minute homework in case the BBC have to cover the Irish racing.

10:46 Another inspection at 11:30

I have just walked the course and where the sun has caught it the ground is crusty and soft underneath.

On the bend out of the home straight it is still very frosty and there are concerns that some of the areas under the covers may be frozen.

It is improving - it is just a question of will it improve in time

10:22 One non-runner so far, details on the right.

10:12 The area of concern is the turn out of the home straight where it is still very frosty but is in shade.

09:51 Good morning from Chepstow where there will be a further inspection at 10:30 - I have to admit I am no expert but it does not look good.

08:18

A second inspection has been called for 09:15 as temperatures reach -3

18:27 Sunday

Advance going news:

Going

Heavy, Soft in places (GoingStick: 5.5 on Sunday at 07:30)

(14mm rain overnight Sat 26th-Sun 27th)
Sunday 27th- Bright spells, max 6C, min overnight -1C/-2C
Monday 28th- Fog likely early, then clear and bright max 4C.

Precautionary Inspection 8 a.m. Monday 28th

Vulnerable areas protected with frost sheets.

Return to race archive:

Non-Runners

The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.

SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate

Non-runners

13:00
9 Nirvana Swing

14:10
1 Mon Mome
12 Iris De Balme (sore - SC 11:49)

14:45
3 Hector's House

15:20
4 Glenwood Knight (going - 12:32)
12 Rockinghorsescience (not eaten up - SC 08:48)
16 Wayward Prince

15:50
4 Just One Thing
10 Yukon Quest

Results

12:25 Beginners Chase 3m

1st 3 Mark The Book 7/2
2nd 1 Earth Planet 13/8 fav
6 Ran
Distances distance
Fav second
Tote
Win £4.50
Places £1.90 £1.60
Exacta £8.00
CSF £9.78
Time 6' 25.0"

13:00 Handicap Chase 2m 3f 110yds

1st 8 Magic Sky 10/1
2nd 5 Private Be 7/1
3rd 10 Amble Forge 11/1
9 Ran Nr 9
Distances 1¾ & 1¾
Fav 4 Victoria's Groom 10/3 upl
Tote
Win £11.20
Places £3.10 £3.10 £2.90
Exacta £97.50
CSF £78.91
Tricast £793.06
Time 5' 16.6"

13:35 Handicap Hurdle 3m

1st 5 Money Order 8/1
2nd 3 Strategic Approach 9/2 fav
3rd 4 Magnifico 8/1
14 Ran
Distances neck
Fav second
Tote
Win £11.40
Places £3.50 £2.20 £3.20
Exacta £42.20
CSF £43.23
Tricast £305.25
Time 6' 14.3"

14:10 Coral Welsh National Handicap Chase 3m 5f 110yds

1st 11 Dream Alliance 20/1
2nd 18 Silver By Nature 14/1
3rd 9 Le Beau Bai 4/1 fav
4th 6 Miko de Beauchene 33/1
18 Ran Nr's 1 & 12
Distances ¾ & 7
Fav third
Tote
Win £36.70
Places £6.30 £3.40 £2.20 £5.50
Exacta £683.20
CSF £274.18
Tricast £1,374.05
Time 8' 04.8"

14:45 Juvenile Hurdle 2m 110yds

1st 5 Me Voci 10/1
2nd 9 Sang Bleu evens fav
3rd 1 Bocamix 14/1
8 Ran Nr 3
Distances 10 & 1 ¼
Fav second
Tote
Win £12.30
Places £2.30 £1.10 £3.00
Exacta £42.20
CSF £21.15
Time no time taken

15:20 Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f

1st 1 Be There In Five 7/2 fav
2nd 15 Volador 9/2
3rd 3 Express Leader 5/1
13 Ran Nr's 4, 12 & 16
Distances 9 & 6
Fav winner
Tote
Win £
Places £ £ £
Exacta £
CSF £
Time 5' 13.6"

15:50 Open NH Flat 2m 110yds

1st 1 Crannaghmore Boy 9/2
2nd 5 Livinonedge evens fav
3rd 9 The Ferbane Man 6/1
9 Ran nr's 4 & 10
Distances 4 ½ & 2¼
Fav second
Tote
Win £
Places £ £ £ £
Exacta £
CSF £
Time 4' 21.6"