There was good news for Welsh horse racing at the weekend when Potters Corner, trained by Christian Williams, won the Virtual Grand National shown live on ITV.
An audience of just under five million people watched the 2019 Coral Welsh Grand National winner, ridden by ‘virtual’ jockey Jack Tudor hold off the late challenge of Walk In The Mill with Tiger Roll in third.
The computer animated event was created as a substitute for the Aintree spectacular which was postponed due the current coronavirus pandemic. Bookmakers took bets on the race with all profits, estimated to be more than £2.5m, going to NHS charities.
The trainer’s phone was red hot after the victory from callers including the BBC and News At Ten and the publicity for his Ogmore on Sea operation will be most welcome.
Christian says the real Potters Corner all being well will, once again, be aimed this year’s Coral Welsh Grand National on Sunday 27th December. He’s developed a loyal following since becoming the first Welsh trained horse to win the race for 54 years.
The ten-year-old gelding will be aiming to join a select group of horses to have won the prestigious prize twice, the last being Mountainous in 2013 and 2015. Bonanza Boy, trained by Martin Pipe and ridden by Peter Scudamore, won back to back renewals in 1988 and 1989.
