Trainer Robert Alner who is still in intensive care in a Bristol hospital following a car accident last month had the perfect fillip at Chepstow when his Miko De Beauchene just got the better of last years winner Halcon Genelardais on the line in a thrilling finish to the Welsh Grand National.
As they crossed the last it looked as though the Alan King trained Halcon Genelardais was heading for a second consecutive victory under top weight, but jockey Andrew Thornton put in one last try and took victory in the final strides, the 21lb weight concession proving to be just too much.
Speaking after the race , Thornton said he would have given up the victory for Alner to have been there to witness the race. There was a sting in the tail as Thornton picked up a four-day ban for excessive use of the whip.
The first two finished 16 lengths clear of the David Pipe trained Over The Creek in third, with long time leader Naunton Brook finishing a further 1½ lengths back in fourth.
There was drama as the horses completed the first circuit and the Pipe teams other runner, Not Left Yet, stumbled as the horses turned out of the straight, dumping rider Timmy Murphy onto the Chepstow turf.
The well backed favourite, the Paul Nicholls trained Gungadu at 4/1 finished a disappointing sixth after briefly challenging turning into the home straight, only to run out of steam in the final two furlongs.
1st Miko De Beauchene 13/2
2nd Halcon Genelardais 17/2
3rd Over The Creek 10/1
4th Naunton Brook 33/1
Distances: hd 16 lths 1½ lths 18 Ran
Non Runners: 14 Flintoff and 20 Korelo
Tote: Win £8.30 Places £2.70 £3.00 £2.80 £7.30 Exacta £103.80