National glory for Halcon

Halcon Genelardais defied 11st 3lb to run out a gutsy winner of the Coral Welsh National for Alan King and Wayne Hutchinson.

The 7-1 chance was always travelling well in the Chepstow marathon and took up the running approaching the third-last fence.

Having touched down with a couple of lengths in hand of his pursuers, King's charge then dug deep and fought on bravely to repel 14-1 chance Mon Mome by four lengths.

Juveigneur stuck on well to claim third, while Lordofourown finished fourth.

Hutchinson had settled the six-year-old in mid-division for much of the contest as Naunton Brook and One Knight set a strong gallop.

Many had cried enough by the time the field swung for home for the final time, but the well-supported Lou Du Moulin Mas was travelling menacingly well along with Mon Mome, who had gradually crept into a challenging position.

Halcon Genelardais was also still moving strongly, however, and he put his seal on the valuable contest with a flying leap three-out.

Mon Mome and Juveigneur refused to give in and kept chasing King's charge but never looked like overhauling him.

The former had to settle for second spot while the latter, an 11-1 chance, hung on grimly for third, six lengths behind the Venetia Williams-trained runner-up.

Irish raider Lordofourown, also sent off at 11-1, came from the clouds to fill fourth spot and reward each-way punters.